Tanah Merah: The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation has urged Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) to promptly decide on repairs for the collapsed slope near the Bukit Remah Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Tanah Merah, following a landslide in November last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated that the incident had damaged the plant’s inlet and outlet pipelines. Although the pipelines have been repaired, restoring the slope remains crucial, especially before the upcoming monsoon season, which could potentially threaten the entire structure of the water treatment plant.

The Deputy Minister emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We have given AKSB the option of whether to carry out repair works through Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad or apply for a special grant from the Federal Government. However, a decision must be made soon as the risk of further landslides is high.” He conveyed these remarks during a working visit to the Tanjung Mas WTP construction site.

The slope at Bukit Remah collapsed on November 28 last year during the Northeast Monsoon season, causing damage to both raw and treated water pipelines. Akmal Nasrullah noted that while disasters such as floods rarely have a direct impact on water infrastructure, the government is prepared to assist in recovery efforts.

In addition to the situation at Bukit Remah, the Deputy Minister visited a proposed site for the construction of a riverbank water reservoir in Machang. This reservoir will be the first of its kind in Kelantan. He mentioned that a consultant has been appointed for the project, and the ministry is awaiting official site confirmation from the state government before commencing detailed planning work.

Meanwhile, he reported that the upgrading works for the Tanjung Mas WTP are progressing well. “Construction of the tube wells is expected to be completed by the end of this year before the plant’s pre-implementation phase commences,” he added.