Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he was made to understand that three large water ponds were the source of worry among residents in the district and should they collapse, it would result in a disaster.
“We understand the residents are anxious. If the pond walls break, it will trigger a tragedy.
“I am asking the state government to take the necessary action on this. We will leave it to the state government.
“For the safety of the villagers, quick action should be taken,” he told reporters after a thanksgiving prayer in conjunction with the 65th National Day celebration and for the safety of Baling residents at Dataran Keluarga Malaysia here today.
Also present were rural development minister Mahdzir Khalid and Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
Earlier, the environment and water ministry had said the source of the flood in several villages in Baling on July 4 was due to the collapse of a pond built at the peak of Gunung Inas.
Asked about the need to build a dam to overcome floods in the area, Ismail said the ministry would be conducting detailed studies if necessary.
Meanwhile, Ismail said cash assistance of RM2,500 each was handed to 1,012 flood victims in Kampung Iboi and Kampung Masjid on July 4. This amounted to RM3.6 million.
Ismail also announced an allocation of RM10 million for the construction of a concrete bridge to replace the 2.43m Bailey bridge in Kampung Iboi built by the works ministry with the cooperation of the armed forces.
“The Bailey bridge was completed to replace the bridge which collapsed in the floods.
“The concrete bridge is not urgent as the Bailey bridge can still be used for three to five years but not for the long term.”
He said the government is allocating RM4.8 million to repair and restore 17 small bridges in the district.
Apart from that, he said the government had allocated RM3 million to build 17 new houses to relocate residents living on the river bank in Baling and the state government had identified a suitable site.
Ismail also said that work was ongoing to build 20 new houses in Desa Keda Sadek, Mukim Kupang, for the flood victims.
He said eight of the 20 houses, which were being built by the rural development ministry, would be completed on Oct 5 while 12 more units under the state government would be ready soon.
“I came to ensure all that has been promised and announced have been implemented. More importantly, I do not want the affected residents to wait for years before the promises are fulfilled.
“As such, I am going to ground zero to ensure the pledges of the government are carried out,” he said.
Earlier, Ismail presented laptops to excellent Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students in Baling district as well as university students who were victims of the floods.
He also handed over contributions from the Social Security Organisation (Socso), and presented cheques to Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun) entrepreneurs, as well as cheques of RM1,000 each for 36 petty traders and “asnaf” recipients (tithe recipients) and a cheque of RM50,000 for the Baling district education office.
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