Kelantan Govt Implementing Two Projects To Address Padi Field Water Supply

KOTA BHARU, July 23 (Bernama) — The Kelantan government is implementing two main components to address the issue of water supply to the padi fields in stages under the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) which depends on Kelantan River as the main source of irrigation.

State Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry, Biotechnology and Green Technology Exco, Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said two projects are currently being carried out, namely the construction of the Kemubu 3 Pump Station and the portable pump system project at the Kemubu and Lemal Pump Stations.

He said for the Kemubu 3 Pump Station project, construction and completion works were carried out by Kenanga Lestari Sdn Bhd starting on June 1, 2023, with a completion date set for November 25, 2025, involving a contract period of 104 weeks.

“So far, the physical progress of the project has reached 68 per cent, in line with the implementation schedule,” he said when replying a question by Mohd Saizol Ismail (PAS–Salor) on the latest status of the Kemubu Pump House repairs at the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly sitting at Kota Darulnaim Complex, today.

Mohd Saripudin said there were several technical issues at the site that required additional work and adjustments to the original plan, including changes to the cable route, installation of trenches and FSI for the column pump, as well as the discovery of hard rock on the riverbank which caused delays in the secant pile piling work, in addition to changes to the plan for the cable route and the number of junction boxes.

Meanwhile, he said the portable pump project at the Kemubu and Lemal Pump Stations operated by Ari Usaha Murni Sdn Bhd, began on Oct 21 and is scheduled to be completed on Aug 7 with an implementation period of nine months, had now recorded progress of only 49 per cent.

"This is far below the actual target of 99 per cent, with a delay of 136 days or negative 50 per cent. Among the factors behind the delay are poor contractor management and the company's unsatisfactory financial flow," he said.

Following this, the matter was brought to the Contract Coordination Panel (CCP) meeting chaired by the secretary-general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) on April 30, 2025, and is now in the process of terminating the contract by the ministry.

He said that the state government, through close cooperation with KADA and KPKM, will continue to closely monitor the progress of the project and take appropriate steps to ensure its implementation is on schedule and provides direct benefits to the farmers, thereby guaranteeing the state and national food supply.

— BERNAMA