KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — The project to upgrade the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) region’s irrigation system to implement the five-season in two years padi cultivation is expected to commence in 2024.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the project involves developing and maintaining 100 tertiary irrigation blocks, comprehensive restoration of the Pedu Dam, and the Jeniang Water Transfer Scheme Phase Two.
The project, with a RM3 billion allocation, will be executed via a public-private partnership concept. The private sector will fully fund the development and maintenance of infrastructure in advance, and the government will later reimburse them once the project is completed.
“As of September 30, this project is at the procurement evaluation phase through a request for proposal, jointly managed by the Public-Private Partnership Unit, the Prime Minister’s Department, the Finance Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Mada, and other departments,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Mohamad was responding to Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim’s query on when the project will be completed.
He emphasised the ministry’s commitment to strengthening the irrigation system for padi cultivation throughout the country, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, to make these two states Malaysia’s second rice bowl.
“This is because the northern states are often hit by floods simultaneously, usually in December and January. Therefore, we will continue our efforts to secure allocations in the future,” Mohamad said.
— Bernama
