KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The Unity Government, via the Malaysia Madani Budget 2024, has provided a RM1.1 billion allocation to resolve water supply issues, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Presenting the budget, themed Madani Economy: Empowering the People, in the Dewan Rakyat today, he said the government has pledged the water supply issue must end, especially in Kelantan, Sabah and Labuan.
“For Kelantan, the first phase of the Machang Water Treatment Plant (WTP) construction project, with a capacity of 250 million litres daily, will be implemented to increase water supply reserves. Asbestos cement pipes were also replaced to reduce water loss and water supply disruptions due to leaking pipes.
“While waiting for the project to be completed, the rental of tankers and static tanks will be added to ensure the people of Kelantan get immediate water supply when there are disruptions,” Anwar said.
To overcome the water supply issue in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the focus is on restoring and replacing infrastructure and equipment to increase the capacity of the WTP, while in Labuan, efforts will be on replacing old pipes and repairing existing infrastructure.
The government will introduce the Madani Community Programme, under the supervision of the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), to support efforts to uplift the community economy.
“This programme aims to boost economic activities at the community level involving five focus sectors, namely agriculture and food, sewing and handicraft, herbs and health, tourism and hospitality, as well as green and recycling activities.
“Each community, whether in the village or the city, will be free to consult and decide their chosen focus sector. The government will allocate RM1 billion under the Madani Community Fund (DKM),” he said.
Grants ranging from RM50,000 to RM100,000 will be provided to make the Madani Community Programme successful.
Meanwhile, the improvement of infrastructure in villages will continue to be given priority to bridge the gap between regions.
These include RM1.63 billion allocated to build and upgrade rural roads, including Bachok in Kelantan; Tambun Tulang in Perlis; and Kuala Lukut to Chuah in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, and RM939 million to provide water supply to 5,150 homes and electricity supply to 2,200 houses.
In addition, Anwar said the government will introduce the Madani Foster Village Programme, which focuses on providing basic facilities, including Internet access in marginalised rural areas.
— Bernama
