JITRA: In a bid to reduce the environmental impact caused by projects in agricultural areas, project designs would be modified according to the needs of the environment.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharom said the modification would protect public interest and well-being.
He said the transport ministry, Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), Public Works Department (PWD), relevant agencies and project implementation companies, including the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) would carry out a scheduled meeting to discuss the effects of projects implemented.
“Through these meetings, we will review project designs and re-design them, according to environmental specifications,” he told reporters after a ceremony where aid was presented to six schools affected by floods, and food boxes to participants of the Kubang Pasu e-Kasih programme here yesterday.
On plans to tackle flooding, he said a study conducted by Mada indicated it would cost an estimated RM2 billion to build embankments and restore flood-prone areas in Kedah.
“The proposal draft for the first project in Kedah Utara, which costs RM500 million, has been handed over to the Economic Planning Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department and is expected to be implemented in the Tenth Malaysia Plan after Cabinet approval,” said the deputy minister. — Bernama