ALOR STAR: The federal government has approved an allocation of RM30 million to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to rehabilitate the Pantai Merdeka coast.
State Public Works, Water Supply and Water Resources, Irrigation and Drainage, and Energy Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria informed the State Assembly that the project, approved under the Rolling Plan 4 of the 12th Malaysia Plan, was expected to kick-start by 2026.
"We wish to express our appreciation to the federal government for approving the allocation through the DID. The project consultant is carrying out the detailed design and physical works with the tender expected by the first quarter of next year.
"The physical works are expected to begin by 2026, with target completion by 2029. The project will comprise a wave breaker, an 850-metre coastal reclamation works and a passenger jetty," he said in response to a question from Perikatan Nasional Tanjung Dawai assemblyman Hanif Ghazali.
Meanwhile, state Tourism, Culture, Arts and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin said several upgrading works of tourism products for Kuala Muda district in preparation for Visit Kedah Year 2025 had been completed and some were still in progress.
"Among the completed projects are the tourism boardwalk in Bukit Penjara, upgrading of Pantai Merdeka Chalet and its landscape for RM2.5 million, upgrading of Dataran Tsunami at a cost of RM300,000 and upgrading of Tanjung Dawai Jetty at a cost of RM250,000.
"Upgrading works for Tsunami Gallery at a cost of RM50,000 is ongoing, and we are waiting for a RM1.4 million allocation from the Tourism Ministry to fully upgrade the site," he said.
"The upgrading works for the Sungai Merbok Tourism Complex at a cost of RM750,000 is almost completed and the upgrading of two units of catamarans belonging to Sungai Petani Municipal Council at a cost of RM50,000 has been completed.
"Upgrading works for the Sungai Batu Civilisation's gathering site at a cost of RM500,000 is still ongoing," he informed the House.