THE successful completion of the Kampung Naran Pump House in Batu Maung is set to reduce the risk and frequency of flooding in the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone and the nearby Penang International Airport.
State Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who officiated the facility’s opening ceremony today, said the Kampung Naran Pump House is the seventh of eight high-impact flood mitigation projects successfully completed by the state government.
“The Penang government has allocated RM150 million for the implementation of these eight high-impact projects, with the Kampung Naran Pump House being a key component of the Sungai Tiram Flood Mitigation Plan, costing RM9.48 million.
“Due to monsoon rains, high tides, and climate change, flash floods have increasingly inconvenienced many residents. The parliamentary constituency of Bayan Baru has been identified as a flash flood hotspot.
“The primary objective of this project is to reduce flood risks and occurrences in the Sungai Tiram area, particularly in Kampung Naran, as well as in nearby commercial and industrial zones close to Penang International Airport,” Zairil said in his speech.
Designed for a 10-year average recurrence interval (ARI) flood protection, the project is expected to safeguard 600 residents from future flooding while minimising property damage and disruptions to public infrastructure.
The pump house is equipped with two screw pumps with a capacity of 4.0m³/s, along with a control room and other related facilities. Additionally, the project includes:
• A 560m-long floodwall and a 1,060m-long collector drain system
• Eight outfall structures and eight flap gate structures
• A 30m-long pipe culvert to improve drainage at Penang International Airport
• An L-shaped arch bridge
Zairil noted that the project was completed on schedule within 36 months from 16 August 2021 to 15 August 2024, and expressed his appreciation to various stakeholders.
They include the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) as the implementing agency, the contractor and engineering consultant, Southwest District and Land Office, the Public Works Department (JKR), the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Telekom Malaysia, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBA), and other utility companies for their cooperation in relocating and connecting services to the pump house.
The six other high-impact projects completed are:
- Flood Mitigation Project for Parit 5 and Parit 4 in Central Seberang Perai
- Flood Mitigation Project for Mak Mandin in North Seberang Perai
- Flood Mitigation Project for Bayan Baru
- Flood Mitigation Project for Taman Iping
Zairil added that the eighth project, the Flood Mitigation Project for Permatang Rawa, is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the detailed design study for the Upper Permatang Rawa Flood Mitigation Plan is in its draft final report stage. This project is expected to be submitted for federal funding under the 13th Malaysia Plan, Rolling Plan 2 (RP2), next year.
On another note, Zairil said the state government, through the state DID, is implementing two pilot projects under the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme (PNBCap). These include the construction of a flood retention pond in Taman Lintang Nibong and the development of a blue-green corridor at Sungai Keluang. Both projects, located in the Southwest District, are funded by UN-Habitat under its Climate Adaptation Fund.
State DID director Associate Lt-Col (Civil Defence) Ooi Soon Lee expressed his appreciation to the state government for entrusting Penang DID with an allocation of RM150 million to address flood-related issues through the implementation of eight high-impact flood mitigation projects across three districts – North Seberang Perai, Central Seberang Perai, and the Southwest District.
“Penang DID has identified a total of 233 flood-prone areas in the state, with 124 classified as flood hotspots and 109 as flood-risk areas.
“We continuously strive to mitigate flood risks through the implementation of small-scale flood mitigation projects under the State Development and Management Funding.
“Additionally, the DID conducts detailed design studies and implements medium-scale flood mitigation projects under the State Drainage Contribution Fund. These projects are planned based on flood records and detailed design studies as part of a comprehensive mitigation strategy to address flooding issues,” Ooi said.
He added that Penang DID remains committed to realising the state government’s aspirations for the development and progress of Penang in line with the Penang2030 vision.
During the official opening ceremony, Zairil presented a mock key to Southwest District engineer Vinotha Punudorai, symbolising the handover of the operations and maintenance of the Kampung Naran Pump House to the DID Southwest District.
Among those present at the opening ceremony were Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, MBPP engineering director Cheah Chin Kooi (representing MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran), Southwest district officer Datuk Rosli Halim, state DID senior assistant director (flood management) Haslinda Mohamad Hamran, project director Hafizan Hanip, project M&E coordinator Firdous Mok Abdullah and representatives from several departments.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En