He said the Penang Government could afford to kick-start a grandiose transport plan without Federal Government help, but turned to the latter for flood mitigation funding.
“The Penang Transport Master Plan, which is RM27 billion…now with a revised price tag of RM46 billion, is an effort fully funded by the State Government.
“Why can’t the Penang Government spend a billion or two for nature conservation efforts and flood mitigation projects?” he asked when talking to reporters at Masjid Kampung Rawa, Jalan Perak, here.
An intense debate between the federal and state governments ensued after Penang experienced flash floods for the fourth time in a span of nearly two weeks.
The flash floods have wreaked havoc in low-lying areas along parts of Penang island’s longest river, Sungai Pinang. The floods also caused roads to cave in and brought down swathes of mud on hill slopes in other areas.
The Penang Government claimed the Federal Government had been non-committal in allocating money for the third phase of a flood mitigation project that had begun in Sungai Pinang in the late 1990s. The State Government said if the RM350 million had been disbursed earlier, the floods could have been averted.
Meanwhile, Zainal, who is also state Umno chief, said the RM150 million promised to Penang for flood mitigation by the Federal Government would be divided into two components.
The first component, worth RM25 million, would be used to deepen and beautify the river. The second component, worth RM125 million, would be used for flood mitigation projects, he said.
The announcement on the allocation was made in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Zainal said the project would be carried out along Sungai Pinang and its 10 tributaries, and was slated to be completed by 2020.
“When the government’s financial situation is better, more allocations will be provided, if the RM150 million is not enough.
“We are aware that the Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department requested RM350 million. We will give RM150 million first, let’s see how things go,” Zainal said.
He, however, felt that the allocation would be criticised by naysayers in the State Government.
“I am sure they are going to say ‘why are you giving us only RM150 million and not RM350 million?
“Since 2007, we have spent RM1.9 billion on Penang’s flood mitigation projects as well as river and reclamation works.
“However, I hope the State Government will allocate a big amount for flood mitigation projects (and announce it) at the state legislative assembly next week,” Zainal added.