BACHOK: The damage inflicted by strong waves which battered Pantai Irama or Melody Beach early this month, is not exactly music to the ears of the federal government.
This follows a recent statement by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat who wanted the federal government to rehabilitate the beach.
Miffed by the statement, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, said the onus to rectify the battered beach should not rest solely on the central government.
Rather, he said, the PAS-led Kelantan Government should not wash its hands off the issue but also carry out repair works in tandem.
“Pantai Irama is the only beach left (in Kelantan) with the potential to attract local and foreign tourists after Pantai Cahaya Bulan near Kota Baru was destroyed decades ago by (a series of) erosions,” he said when commenting on Nik Aziz’s statement.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the beach here yesterday, Awang Adek stressed the state government should work hand-in-hand with the federal government to re-build a breakwater which was destroyed in the incident.
He said that two years ago, the federal government had allocated RM20 million to build a breakwater along the beach. The project was completed last year.
Awang Adek, who is also Kelantan Umno deputy liaison chief, said the damaged beach must be repaired in all urgency.
A delay in the repair of the beach would cause worse damage and threaten hundreds of homes and traders, he said, adding that a RM30 million allocation was needed to build a bigger breakwater which could withstand big waves.
On the application for a RM20 million allocation by the Kelantan Drainage and Irrigation Department to repair the beach, Awang Adek said he would discuss the matter with the agriculture and agro-based ministry for further action. — Bernama