Mengkuang Dam ExpeansionShould Proceed

MENGKUANG DAM EXPANSION SHOULD PROCEED

BUT CM MUST COMMUNICATE WITH FEDERAL

Press Release by Former Chief Minister of Penang,
Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon
(Tuesday, 5 August 2008)

(1) The Federal Government should proceed with the project to expand the Mengkuang Dam which is crucial as a strategic reserve for water supply to the people and industry in Penang.

(2) Responding to the call by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Mengkuang, the former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said that this project was originally approved under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). Some allocation had already been given for the purpose of land acquisition.

(3) "Based on what I can now recall, the previous state government has earlier put up a very strong case for the implementation of the Mengkuang Dam expansion. The federal government agreed. So, I am surprised that the project is now shelved, as revealed by Lim Guan Eng," said Dr Koh.

(4) "Rather than criticising the federal government through the media, the present Chief Minister should make his rounds to meet the relevant ministers and key departmental heads, to convince them of the importance of the Mengkuang Dam expansion by using the arguments prepared and presented by the previous state government," suggested Dr Koh.

(5) "It is necessary for him to do so because, after the General Election in March, there have been changes in the leadership of the relevant ministries and key officers who may not appreciate fully the urgency of expanding Mengkuang. The relevant ministers include the Minister of Energy, Water and Communication, the Second Finance Minister, the Works Minister, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit, etc."

(6) Under the present structure and mechanism of Federal and state governments, every Mentri Besar or Chief Minister must establish a good working relationship with the relevant federal ministers, continually communicate and discuss with them, so as to present strong arguments for projects and allocations needed for the state. This is because there has always been competition amongst all states for federal allocation. It is not effective to merely demand and criticise through the media.