PASIR MAS, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Residents in Pasir Mas are pinning their hopes on Phase 2 of the Sungai Golok Integrated River Basin Development (PLSB) Project to reduce the risk of recurring floods that threaten their lives, property and crops each monsoon season.
The project, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling the Supply (Budget) 2027 Bill last Friday, is expected to strengthen flood mitigation efforts, particularly around Rantau Panjang, which is frequently affected by the overflow of Sungai Golok.
A Kampung Tersang resident in Rantau Panjang, Mohd Irwan Faizal Che Rojiun, 40, said the announcement had given the local community renewed hope that recurring floods in high-risk areas could be addressed more effectively.
“I hope Phase 2 of the PLSB project can be completed sooner, especially as we are already approaching the flood season,” he told Bernama recently.
Meanwhile, former Mukim Lubuk Gong penghulu Mohd Ariffin Ismail, 64, said the federal government’s commitment to allocating funds to address flooding in Kelantan was greatly appreciated, but the project must be implemented without further delays.
He said project planning should take into account problems faced by residents, including breached bunds and the need to build culverts to facilitate the flow of floodwaters.
He added that stagnant floodwaters also required attention, as water that remained trapped for long periods affected residents’ mobility, crops and daily activities.
“I hope the flooding problems from Kampung Lachang to Lubuk Jong can be resolved through this project. Contractors must find suitable ways to drain the floodwaters so that the problem of stagnant water does not recur.
“The project must be carried out properly so that it truly benefits residents, including by ensuring access roads remain passable and crops are not destroyed,” he said.
In Budget 2027, Anwar announced that Phase 2 of the Sungai Golok PLSB in Kelantan would be among the Flood Mitigation Scheme (RTB) projects to be implemented in 2027.
The project is part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen flood mitigation systems in the Sungai Golok basin, which is frequently affected by river overflows during the monsoon season.
-- BERNAMA