Kuala lumpur: The government is open to considering a proposal to provide small allocations to communities in rural and village areas to carry out minor maintenance works on a voluntary basis.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated that while the proposal could expedite maintenance work, its implementation must be carefully studied due to varying suitability across different regions given cost and logistical factors.
Akmal Nasrullah emphasized that most maintenance work falls under the jurisdiction of state governments. He cited Johor as an example, where part of the state's allocation is channelled to village associations or committees, particularly in rural areas. However, challenges arise when maintenance work necessitates machinery or specialized equipment, making community-based efforts less cost-effective.
During the Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat, Akmal Nasrullah responded to a question from Afnan Hamimi Datuk Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) regarding the government's plans to provide small allocations to associations for periodic minor maintenance work. He highlighted the importance of community 'gotong-royong' activities, encouraging cooperation among villagers to ensure ongoing maintenance efforts and prevent larger issues.
He also mentioned that this community-based approach aligns with ongoing maintenance programmes organized by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). Addressing inter-agency coordination, Akmal Nasrullah noted that DID is prepared to collaborate with related agencies to enhance cross-agency coordination, ensuring integrated river maintenance work.
The Deputy Minister explained that the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and state DID offices have distinct responsibilities in managing drainage issues but complement each other in maintaining infrastructure within their catchment areas. MADA, under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM), focuses on developing and managing irrigation and drainage systems in rice bowl areas, while DID, under the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA), manages river management, eco-friendly drainage, and local projects funded through government budgets.