SERDANG: The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry takes the issues raised in the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2024 regarding national water management very seriously.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the ministry has a team to review all reports, including the Auditor General's report, related to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS).
He said the team is lead by its secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli.
"The secretary-general himself will lead to ensure that all audit issues are addressed and hopefully will not recur in the future," he said after launching the 2024 Agriculture Census here today.
The AG's report, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today, among others, highlighted nine audits involving 11 ministries with a total audited cost of RM41.97 billion.
Among the issues raised regarding national water management, where it was found that 145 out of 712 water infrastructure development projects were delayed from the original schedule by between 86 and 1,076 days, involving costs amounting to RM6.150 billion.
It was also highlighted that the target of a 13.5 per cent National Treated Water Reserve Margin could not be achieved by the four sampled states visited in 2022.
Therefore, the National Audit Department has recommended that the minsitry and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry improve monitoring of the completion of projects and development programmes, and upgrades for water sources, treated water supply, and water quality within the stipulated timeframe.
In addition, control over sources of pollution and treatment parameters needs to be enhanced more effectively to ensure water quality, as well as clear enforcement authority based on the jurisdiction of agencies.
It is also recommended to strengthen collaborative governance and engagement with the federal and state governments for jurisdictional coordination, and the involvement of state authorities for integrated water issue resolution. — BERNAMA