PETRA Sets Up Task Force To Monitor Sungai Golok PLSB Project

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) has established a task force to monitor the progress of the Sungai Golok Integrated River Basin Development (PLSB) project in Kelantan and expedite flood mitigation projects in the state.

Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the move was among the improvements implemented through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to ensure that the findings and recommendations in the Auditor-General’s Report (LKAN) No. 2/2026 were duly addressed.

“I will personally visit the site to assess the project’s current progress and development, and I welcome the Honourable Members of Parliament to join me on a site visit this weekend,” he said when winding up the debate on LKAN No. 2/2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said coordination at the state level had also been strengthened through the establishment of the task force to expedite land acquisition matters.

“The DID has strengthened its preliminary planning and project readiness assessments, including technical requirements, design and soil investigations.

“These improvements are aimed at ensuring these matters are finalised before physical works begin, thereby reducing the risk of scope changes, cost increases and project delays,” he said.

Abdul Rahman said the terms of reference for the appointment of consultants had also been improved, including a requirement to comply with DID directives during the Home Office Support phase to clarify consultants’ responsibilities in providing technical support throughout project implementation.

On the project’s implementation status, he said physical progress for Phase 1 stood at 73.01 per cent against the scheduled 75.51 per cent, while Phases 2 and 3 had recorded 3.16 per cent and 24.18 per cent respectively, ahead of their scheduled progress of 2.62 per cent and 16.87 per cent.

He said Phases 2 and 3 were expected to be completed within their respective contract periods, or by October 2028 and April 2029.

Pending completion of the overall project, several mitigation measures had also been implemented to reduce flood risks, including dredging works at Sungai Lemal Lanchang.

Abdul Rahman said other measures included 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 improve the flow of river water into the sea.

Yesterday, PETRA said that adjustments to the project scope based on technical requirements and prevailing conditions during implementation had resulted in the contract value of the Sungai Golok PLSB project increasing to RM601.20 million from RM198.02 million.

The ministry said the adjustments included upgrading the security and development roads (KESBAN) to Federal Route standards, constructing spillway structures and bridges, and coordinating the design of pump houses.

The statement was issued in response to the Auditor-General’s Report No. 2/2026, which highlighted several weaknesses in the PLSB project.

 -- BERNAMA