WHEN the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government took federal power in 2018, they had pushed for water infrastructure upgrades in Kedah, but was left frustrated by the state administration’s lack of urgency and enthusiasm.
As such, said it would be unfair for the federal government to bear responsibility for the state’s ongoing water problems, said Datuk Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, who served as Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change from 2018 to 2020.
Xavier’s comments on the matter came after Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had accused PH for causing delays and increased costs for water infrastructure upgrades in the northern state.
Speaking to The Vibes, Xavier said the then-federal government had approved about RM1.7 bil in loans for water-related works in Kedah in 2019, but that the state had made little to no progress despite numerous pushes.
He stated that the money would be used to upgrade water treatment plants, repair underground pipes, and help boost the state’s water shortage situation
“However, there was a delay at the state level. They were taking their time to see through all these projects,” he remarked.
A frustrated Xavier stated that he sought permission from then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was given written permission to convert some of the loan amount to grants.
This would allow Putrajaya to intervene and instantaneously kick-start and navigate some of the more critical projects, he explained.
However, while negotiations with the relevant ministries for the loan conversion were ongoing, the PH government collapsed in February 2020, the former PKR leader revealed.
“So, to say the federal government did not do their work is wrong. Yes, Kedah at that time was under PH, but the delay on their side was very frustrating,” he added.
“We were not at fault. We already gave all the money, but the state was not fast enough to implement the works.”
When asked what contributed to the delays in project implementation, Xavier said: “That you must ask (former Kedah menteri besar) Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. I don’t know why it took so long.”
Yesterday, Sanusi held PH responsible for the postponements in Kedah water works, noting how, after assuming federal power in 2018, the coalition had cancelled the tender advertisement for the upgrade of five water treatment plants in order to appoint a new consultant, ostensibly to save money.
Regrettably, he stated that 20 months later, PH’s chosen consultant had reached the same conclusion as its predecessor – that the project would cost RM931 mil. The tender advertisements were later redistributed.
As a result, Sanusi claims the project has been delayed for nearly two years, with hundreds of thousands of ringgit required to cover new consultant fees. – April 20, 2023
Main pic credit: Berita Harian
