By Danial Dzulkifly
KLANG, Jan 10 — Selangor’s Raw Water Security Scheme (SJAM) is expected to be implemented in stages from February of this year, with its full operations scheduled by May, said state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim.
Phase One of the initiative is expected to be completed next month.
It includes the construction of a reservoir in Sungai Semenyih with an allocated budget of RM320 million and river diversions at Rantau Panjang, Sungai Selangor Phase (SSP) 1, 2, 3, and Semenyih water treatment plants (WTP),
“However, the pumping station in Sungai Selangor is scheduled for completion in May, ensuring that SJAM achieves full operations by that month,” he told the press after handing over aid to fishermen at Kampung Sungai Sireh in Port Klang yesterday.
Meanwhile, on the Off-River Storage Facility (ORS), which runs parallel to the SJAM initiative, Izham said the project aims to integrate lakes, ponds, and other water catchment areas into the state’s river system, serving as alternative raw water sources.
“This approach ensures sufficient water reserves during droughts and utilises the water catchment areas during the rainy season to mitigate the risk of floods,’’ he said.
Yesterday, Izham also conducted a major briefing on SJAM and flood mitigation efforts with 26 state assemblymen whose constituencies are affected by floods.
He said he had explained the state’s major flood mitigation projects to the elected representatives and assured better coordination between state and Federal agencies to manage flood risks.
SJAM includes several strategic measures to ensure water treatment plants remain operational if contamination occurs.
The measures include amendments to the Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) Enactment 1999, which the Selangor State Legislative Assembly passed in November 2020, and the surveillance of river basins by the Luas Rapid Squad (Skuad Pantas).