El Nino: Ministry ready to set up joint committee with Kelantan

The Rural and Regional Development Ministry is willing to set up an emergency committee with the Kelantan Government to help the people, especially those in remote areas, have access to clean water supply following the El Nino phenomenon.

Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub said due to the phenomenon, a number of people living in the high terrain and hilly areas in Gua Musang, Jeli, Tanah Merah and Kuala Krai faced problems in obtaining clean water from wells and rivers due to lack of rain.

"More worrying is that there are some areas without rain for the past one month," he told reporters after launching Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) sustainable living campaign at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kelantan branch here Saturday.

Also present were TNB Asset Development Department's Transmission Division senior general manager Husaini Husin and Kelantan TNB general manager Datuk Mohd Yuslan Mohd Yusoff.

About 290 students and teachers from 10 primary and secondary schools participated in the campaign.

Ahmad Jazlan, who is also Machang Member of Parliament, said through the joint committee, the state government could submit its proposals on the best way to address the problem.

"The federal government is willing to put aside political interest for the sake of our people but they have to know that water issue is under the jurisdiction of state government," he said.

On claims by certain quarters that electricity tariff had risen during this hot season, he said it might only affect consumers with air-conditioning units at homes.