ALOR STAR: The office of the Kedah Menteri Besar has clarified that Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is away in Japan for a scheduled work visit and not on a holiday with his wife.
In a statement issued today, it clarified that Sanusi is in Kumamoto City to learn about underground water catchment management to be built in Langkawi, which is slated to become the first-ever project of its kind in the country and Southeast Asia.
"It has been viralled on social media that the Menteri Besar (MB) is on holiday abroad with his wife while several districts in the states have been ravaged by floods and storms.
"It is true that the MB is overseas but not for a holiday as alleged. His visit to Kumamoto City, Japan is an official visit to learn about the management of underground water catchment in the region," it said in a statement today.
The MB's office said the visit is in line with an underground water catchment project approved by the Federal government for Langkawi to meet the Kedah tourism jewel's water needs until 2040.
It said the project is under the purview of the Energy Transition and Water Transformation's Water Supply Division.
"The visit has been planned a while ago since the decision was made by the Kedah Water Resources Board (LSANK) in a meeting that was held on Apr 1.
"The state government delegation left for Japan on Sept 17, before the flood disaster hit Kedah.
"The delegation also comprises LSANK management and technical officers.
"The MB's absence will not compromise the flood aid operation as the state and federal agencies are capable of managing security and aid efficiently.
"Despite being abroad, the MB is constantly keeping updated on the development to ensure that the burden suffered by the flood victims is properly and swiftly managed. It is very irresponsible to spread slander while we are facing disaster," said the MB's office.
In June, Sanusi said the underground water catchment project was mooted after former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak approved an RM600 million allocation to resolve Langkawi's water supply issues several years ago.
He was reported as saying the project was selected after an extensive study by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage's National Hydraulic Research Institute Malaysia on five options to resolve Langkawi's water woes.
Before that, Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the federal government had agreed to fund the project to increase raw water resources for Langkawi while reducing dependency on treated water supply from Kedah mainland.