80 per cent of flooding problems in Ayer Limau resolved, says BN candidate

MASJID TANAH: About 80 per cent of flooding problems in Ayer Limau have been resolved following mitigation efforts after major floods affected more than 600 houses in the area in 2021.

Barisan Nasional candidate for the Ayer Limau state seat Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer said tackling floods had been among his priorities since he was elected as the assemblyman in 2021.

He said various projects to upgrade the drainage and irrigation systems had been carried out in stages, with total allocations estimated at between RM6 million and RM7 million.

The projects included upgrading culverts at locations identified as obstructing water flow and causing nearby residential areas to flood.

"Fourteen culverts were identified, of which 11 have been upgraded to larger sizes, while several others are still under construction.

"The upgrades are aimed at improving water flow and increasing capacity, particularly during heavy or unusually heavy rainfall," he told reporters during a campaign visit to Kampung Ayer Limau.

The former state executive councillor for Public Works, Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Transport said land acquisition might need to be considered if the measures taken proved insufficient to resolve the flooding problem, allowing the drainage system to be widened.

He said the government was also studying the possibility of building retention ponds to accommodate excess water during heavy rainfall.

"Regarding flooding along the road near the Lubok China roundabout, the tender process has been completed and the letter of award is expected to be issued to the successful contractor by the end of this year.

"The project is expected to begin towards the end of this year and be fully completed by the end of 2027," he said.

Hameed hoped the remaining 20 per cent of flash-flooding problems would continue to receive attention if he was given another mandate by voters in the Melaka election on Nov 14.

Apart from flood mitigation, he also wants to focus on providing recreational facilities for young people and expanding education and spiritual programmes to nurture a better future generation.

Hameed is facing a straight fight against Pakatan Harapan candidate Major (Rtd) Jaini Dimon in the Melaka election.