M'SIA TO DISCUSS FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT WITH THAILAND

KOTA BAHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia), Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will hold
discussions with Thailand before carrying out the RM1 billion Sungai Golok flood
mitigation project to avert foreseeable problems with the neighbouring country.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said both
countries needed to find ways to overcome flooding of villages on both sides of
Sungai Golok.

"The building of an embankment on the Thailand's side of Sungai Golok was said
to have worsened flooding in Rantau Panjang throughout most of the year last
year.

"We do not want a similar situation to happen on the other side of the river if
we go head with the flood mitigation programme without consulting Thailand," he
told reporters after attending a briefing by State Secretary Mohd Aiseri Alias
at Kota Darul Naim here Tuesday.

Mohamed Nazri, who is also the National Security Council chairman, said the
first phase of the project would cost RM209 million, of which RM20 million would
be disbursed soon to kick-start the project.

The project will be carried out in three phases and the progress would depend on
the government's financial position, he said, adding that the government wanted
the flooding problem in Rantau Panjang and Tumpat to end.

He said International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, who is also
the state Federal Action Council chairman, was entrusted with the responsibility
to hold discussions with the Finance Ministry on the project.

About 2,000 people in several districts, especially in Rantau Panjang and Tumpat
were evacuated during recent floods when Sungai Golok overflowed.

Mohamed Nazri said the federal government had allocated RM500,000 in
compassionate aid for the flood victims and each family would receive RM500
while the Agriculture Department was assessing crop losses.

Earlier, Mohamed Nazri paid a courtesy call on east coast state of Kelantan
Chief Minister Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat at his office. (US$1=RM3.05)
-- BERNAMA