KUALA LUMPUR: The government will re-tender six flood mitigation projects starting in June this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the projects includeded flood-mitigation work at Sungai Johor, Kota Tinggi, Johor; the construction of the Sungai Klang-Sungai Rasau dual-function reservoir, and the Sungai Golok Integrated River Basin Development Phase 3.
"To ensure flood-mitigation projects achieve their goals, people-centric and high-impact projects must be executed via tender. By doing so, it can guarantee the best value and reduce government's expenditure.
"For instance, the country can save RM2 billion from the initial RM15 billion allocated for flood mitigation projects," he told the Dewan Rakyat during the 2023 Budget tabling, today.
Anwar said he had stressed before how rushed efforts by direct tender would waste the people's money.
"And, these projects are crucial and will incur huge cost.
"Flood-mitigation projects that were approved in haste have been cancelled and are now being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Attorney-General's Chamber," he added.
The prime minister also said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) would get RM150 million for assets, warning systems and disaster relief efforts.
"Another RM50 million will be allocated to the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Fire and Rescue Services Department as well as the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) for assets and equipment to face disasters.
"Also, the community's role as first responders during disasters will be strengthened with a RM20 million allocation under the Concerned Community Organisations Grant (Geran Pertubuhan Prihatin Komuniti), which will benefit 2,000 residents' associations."