PASIR MAS: The failed tube well project by the state-owned Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB), which has come under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), saw such wells being dug in areas which have no underground water.
It has been learnt that some of the wells, which were constructed under the horizontal collector well (HCW) and the repair of water treatment plants project, had been forced to use water from nearby rivers instead.
Sources said while some of the tube wells worked, others failed as they were dug in areas with no underground water, allegedly due to the inexperience or incompetence of the consultants engaged for the projects .
Former state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director Kamal Mustapha, when contacted, said AKSB had never consulted the department for feed-back before undertaking the projects.
"I was the state DID director from 2017 until last year and during my service, they did not try to get our opinion or refer to us on water-related projects."
Meanwhile, Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the government has been taking various steps to ensure people in Kelantan get enough water supply.
"We have tried our best to supply water to the people.
"We are now replacing old water pipes and the work will take some time.
"These old pipes are easily damaged and often leak due to high water pressure.
"We are committed to improving on our weaknesses and solving this problem," he said, adding that management of water supply required a huge expenditure and federal allocations were needed.
He said the Kelantan government was grateful for all the help the federal government had given and looked forward to continue with its good relations.