ALOR STAR: The Kedah government has confirmed that repairing leaks on the submerged treated water supply pipeline linking the mainland to Langkawi will only require clamps to plug the leaks.
State Public Works, Water Supply and Water Resources, Irrigation and Drainage, and Energy Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria said an integrity survey by the project consultant confirmed that the pipeline's thickness is suitable for repair using clamps.
He said following the report from the consultant, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the state will conduct a value management assessment (VA) before opening a tender, expected in June.
"Yes, the consultant (JICA) has only recently sent the results (integrity survey), confirming that the pipeline is suitable for repair with clamps.
"The state government needs to conduct a VA before opening the tender. The VA is expected to be completed by June, insyaAllah," he said when contacted today.
Yusoff assured that the ongoing repairs are actively being carried out by the state-owned water concessionaire Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada).
He also said the state government welcomes the federal government's concerns and assistance regarding the repair works project.
"Thank you to the federal government for their concern. The repair work on the underwater pipeline is in progress by Sada. The pipeline is being repaired from time to time," he added.
On Wednesday, Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir called for the state government, through Sada, to act swiftly in deciding on repair works for the submerged pipeline.
He warned that delays in making a decision risk worsening the water supply crisis on the tourism island.
On April 17, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said that the consultant appointed to carry out an integrity survey on the submerged water pipeline was expected to submit the report to the state government soon.
He was reported as saying that the assessment was focused on the pipeline's thickness to determine its suitability for repair using clamps to plug the leaks.
He added that the state government would discuss the findings with the ministry to determine the next course of action.
The current repair work on the leaked pipeline is being funded by a RM50 million loan from the federal government.
