Kuala Lumpur:The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) has established a task force to oversee the progress of the Sungai Golok Integrated River Basin Development (PLSB) project in Kelantan, aiming to expedite flood mitigation efforts in the region.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad announced the formation of the task force as part of the improvements conducted through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). This initiative aims to address the findings and recommendations in the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) No. 2/2026.
Abdul Rahman stated plans to personally visit the project site to assess its current status and invited Members of Parliament to join him on a site visit scheduled for the upcoming weekend. He emphasized that state-level coordination has been enhanced to speed up land acquisition processes.
The DID has reinforced its preliminary planning and project readiness evaluations, including technical requirements, design, and soil investigations. These measures are intended to finalize critical aspects before commencing physical work, thus minimizing the risk of modifications, cost escalations, and project delays.
Abdul Rahman also noted improvements in the terms of reference for consultant appointments, ensuring compliance with DID directives during the Home Office Support phase to clarify consultants' responsibilities in providing technical assistance throughout the project.
For the project's implementation status, Phase 1 has achieved 73.01% physical progress compared to the scheduled 75.51%. Meanwhile, Phases 2 and 3 have surpassed their scheduled progress, recording 3.16% and 24.18%, respectively. These phases are expected to be completed by their contract deadlines in October 2028 and April 2029.
Mitigation measures have been implemented to reduce flood risks pending the project's completion. These include dredging works at Sungai Lemal Lanchang, transforming Danau Tok Uban into a rainwater control and flood retention facility, installing mobile flood barriers in high-risk areas, and dredging the mouth of Sungai Golok to enhance river flow into the sea.
PETRA reported that adjustments to the project's scope based on technical needs and prevailing conditions have increased the contract value of the Sungai Golok PLSB project to RM601.20 million from the original RM198.02 million. These adjustments involve upgrading roads to Federal Route standards, constructing spillway structures and bridges, and coordinating pump house designs, addressing several weaknesses highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report No. 2/2026.