PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants mitigation works to be carried out immediately on four critical slopes in Cameron Highlands at the cost of RM 7million.
The decision was made following the Cameron Highlands Action Council Committee Meeting chaired by Zahid earlier this morning.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the slope engineering works include building a retaining wall, anchor, soil nail and rock netting at the Petronas parking lot, Jalan Kuala Terla, Evergreen Villa and Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Tiang.
Wan Junaidi said 29 other slopes out 517 have also been identified for slope repair works at the cost of RM20.8 million.
“These slopes were identified after research was carried out at these critical areas that are prone to landslips and have people living there.
“So the Deputy Prime Minister wants to ensure safety and security of the area and the people,” he said after the meeting today.
Wan Junaidi also said the ministry’s flood mitigation projects by the Drainage and Irrigation Department at Bertam Valley at Sungai Bertam is expected to be completed in May while work at Sungai Ringlet would commence in August.
The Bertam Valley project, which is carried out at a cost of RM 30.8 million, will widen as well deepen the river by up to 200,000 square metres, benefitting some 3,000 people, he said.
While the Sungai Ringlet project involves 190,000 square metres of flood free area that will benefit 2,300 people, he added.
As part of the Cameron Highlands green programme, Wan Junaidi said 25,207 trees was planted at forest reserve areas covering 24 hectares last year while this year 150 hectares have been identified for the same programme at cost of RM3.44 million.
“The replanting will be carried out in phases beyond 2020 under the 11th Malaysia Plan with the cost of RM100 million.
“It is part of the initiative on rehabilitation, reforesting and replanting on forest areas including on indigenous sites,” he said.-nst
