IPOH, July 3 (Bernama) -- The Perak government will soon form a special committee to address the declining water levels at the Bukit Merah Dam in Bagan Serai, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
He said that the special committee would comprise representatives from the Land and Mines Office (PTG), the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
“We take into account the views of all parties, but this involves technical issues so we must first gather input from the technical departments.
“This committee will look at how to address the issue in the short term because for the long term, we will obtain allocations from the central federal government to facilitate water transfer from Sungai Perak to the dam,” Saarani said.
He said this at a press conference after attending Hari Bertemu Pelanggan (Customer meet and greet day) of the State Government Series 5, 2024 at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here today.
Yesterday, the Kerian DID had to halt irrigation supply to the agricultural sector as the dam’s water level dipped to 6.096 metres.
Saarani said the suggestion by certain parties to deepen the base of the dam was not feasible due to the absence of a water source capable of increasing the dam’s water level.
“Three years ago, there was a proposal to deepen the dam, but the relevant agencies did not approve it because the dam is a man-made reservoir without a natural spring.
“Therefore, we are worried that if we start digging, there might not be a water source available and other problems will arise,” he said.
In another development, Saarani denied claims made by the Sekolah Raja Perempuan Taayah alumni that the school would be relocated to a new site.
According to him, there have been no requests or instructions from any party to the state government regarding this matter.
On June 12, an online protest through a Google Form went viral among school alumni, highlighting concerns about relocating the state-owned school to Seri Iskandar.
-- BERNAMA
