RM9.39 Mln Spent On Infrastructure In Ayer Keroh - State Exco

MELAKA, April 26 (Bernama) -- The Melaka state government, through the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ), spent nearly RM9.39 million last year to build, upgrade and maintain public infrastructure in the Ayer Keroh state constituency.

State Senior Exco for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Datuk Rais Yasin said the facilities included roads and drainage systems in residential areas to ensure the safety, comfort and well-being of residents.

“One of the projects implemented under the allocation was the upgrading of drainage systems in Taman Melawis, Taman Bukit Beruang Utama, Taman Bukit Beruang Bistari and Taman Seri Jati, with a total cost of nearly RM1.7 million.

“Alhamdulillah, through the implementation of these projects, the impact of flash floods in the areas, which were previously categorised as flood hotspots, has been minimised,” he told reporters here today.

He said this after launching the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) programme for the Ayer Keroh constituency, which was also attended by its state assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee.

He added that the RM24.5 million Sungai Putat Flood Mitigation Plan project is being implemented by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage to minimise the risk and impact of flash floods in Ayer Keroh, which had long affected residents.

“Small traders in Ayer Keroh have also benefited from the state government, including a RM573,000 project to build an open trading space with 40 trading lots at the Laman Niaga Pinggiran Sungai MITC site. It is expected to be completed by the end of May,” he said.

He said MPHTJ has spent more than RM3.7 million specifically to transform the landscape in the constituency from 2004 until this year, as it serves as the main gateway and route for tourists to Melaka.

On education, Rais said the Batu Berendam School Complex, comprising a secondary school with 42 classrooms and a primary school with 36 classrooms, valued at nearly RM213 million, is in the pre-implementation stage, while the construction of the Tabika KEMAS Taman Ayer Keroh Heights, estimated to cost RM2.2 million under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, is expected to begin this May.

“The government has also approved an allocation of RM45 million to build a new Ayer Keroh police station, with the procurement process expected to begin in February next year, while the Health Ministry has approved RM580,000 for upgrading works at the Ayer Keroh Health Clinic, which is expected to be completed in September,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kerk said 47 programmes will be implemented throughout the WRUR programme from today until May 2 to engage with various segments of the community in the constituency.

“So far, we have received more than 100 complaints from residents in the constituency involving various issues such as drainage systems, potholes and tree maintenance, and each of these issues will be addressed promptly by the relevant agencies,” he said.

-- BERNAMA