KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has reportedly blamed Pakatan Harapan (PH) for allegedly causing delays and increased costs in water infrastructure upgrading works in the state.

In a Facebook post, he said that the efforts to upgrade water infrastructure in the state have been planned since 2010 including the establishment of Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada) as well as an audit of current and future needs.

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He also said that since 2013, the government has identified and finalised the mandatory steps such as tackling non-revenue water issues, replacing main pipes and the need for a new water treatment plant.

“After going through price negotiation processes and technical aspects, the state government had agreed to give grants and loans for five water treatment plants amounting to RM931 million, and the construction tender advertisement was released.

“Coincidentally, the 14th general election happened, and PH got power.

“Due to suspicion and lack of trust towards the previous government’s decisions, the tender advertisement was withdrawn while a new consultant was appointed to study the measures to solve the water issues and establish a reasonable cost,” he wrote.

Kedah was administered by Barisan Nasional before 2018, with Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah as menteri besar. PH took over in 2018 with Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who was then in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, succeeding Ahmad Bashah.

Mukhriz is now in Parti Pejuang Tanahair, and Bersatu is no longer part of PH.

Sanusi claimed that after 20 months of conducting the research, the consultants appointed by PH put forward their findings which were similar to the one determined by its predecessor.

“Just like the results before PH, five new water treatment plants with the same cost of RM931 million. Even the tender advertisements released again were the same as the old ones.

“As a result, the project was delayed for 20 months and hundreds of thousands of ringgit had to be paid for the new consultant fees,” he said.

He also said that it was PH’s legacy that left Sada operating at a RM36 million loss in 2019 and saddled with a debt of RM174 million.

Last month, the state government said it is making contingency plans to face possible water disruptions during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

However, it said the water supply issue is not critical as the water levels in several dams in Kedah are still at sufficient levels including those under the supervision of the Muda Agricultural Development Board. - malaymail