BUKIT SELAMBAU WATER PROJECT RISKS BECOMING 'WHITE ELEPHANT' - BAU WONG

ALOR SETAR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The upgrade of the Bukit Selambau Water Treatment Plant in Sungai Petani is facing serious delays and risks turning into a white elephant project, following its third extension of time (EOT), which ends on Nov 16.

Kedah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Opposition Leader Bau Wong Bau Ek said the delay is mainly due to the slow delivery of water pumps, which could take up to six months, affecting project progress.

He urged the state government to allocate sufficient funds and develop a contingency plan to ensure the project is completed promptly.

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“This is crucial as such projects are part of efforts to strengthen the state’s treated water reserve,” said the Sidam assemblyman during the 2026 Kedah Budget debate at the State Assembly sitting here today.

Bau Wong also said efforts to improve the quality of treated water should go hand in hand with the recent water tariff increase.

He further highlighted the need to prioritise affordable housing (RMM) for low- and middle-income groups to meet growing population demands.

“Based on local authority statistics from 2020 to 2025, no construction was carried out by 11 local councils in Kedah over the past two years (2024–2025), except by the Kulim Municipal Council, which built 112 units,” he said.

He added that for 2025, only three councils have planned but not yet started RMM projects, comprising Sungai Petani Municipal Council (271 units), Kubang Pasu Municipal Council (72 units) and Alor Setar City Council (42 units).

“Affordable housing must remain a focus of the state budget as it underpins social well-being, economic growth and sustainable development in Kedah,” he said.

-- BERNAMA