Let’s meet and fix Kelantan’s water problem, PM invites state govt

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his desire to fix Kelantan’s decades-old water problem but said the effort requires full cooperation from the state government.

He said he has already presented the matter to Kelantan ruler Sultan Muhammad V.

“Kelantan is facing a serious problem with its clean water supply, so I propose that the federal government and the state government work together.

“Let's meet and cooperate on a water supply project that is comprehensive and meets the needs of the whole of Kelantan,” he said in his speech at the Madani open house event in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, tonight.

Kelantan has faced longstanding problems in supplying clean water to its residents to the extent that “rust water” has become a term often used to criticise the PAS-led state government.

The problem is usually attributed to pipes used by the water concessionaire Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB), which are more than 40 years old.

These have become damaged, resulting in non-revenue water and unsatisfactory water quality.

At the end of 2021, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Abdullah reportedly said the state government would build a large reservoir that is expected to resolve the water supply problem.

Former environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had previously discussed the Riverbank Water Reservoir (Taps) project, which cost RM1.3 billion.

However, to this day, the water problem in Kelantan has not been fully resolved.

Meanwhile, Anwar said it is unjustifiable for the issue to go on after more than 60 years of independence and be used as political capital.

“I don’t think it’s reasonable after 60 years of independence that we still fight (over this) and turn it into an endless political issue that burdens the people.

“Therefore, I want to call for a united government stance. We will try to find funding and solutions, but it must be done correctly,” he said.

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