Zahid: First Phase of Bagan Datuk Flood Control Project Expected to Begin Next Year, Costing RM87.6 Million

(Kuala Lumpur, 28th) Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid pointed out that the first phase of the Bagan Datuk flood control project is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2026, with an overall project cost reaching RM87.6 million.

He stated that, according to monitoring and technical briefings by relevant agencies, the main factors leading to frequent floods in the area include high rainfall, over 1,900 culverts, the lack of a unified existing drainage system, and low-lying terrain causing water accumulation in some areas.

He said that this flood control project is being promoted based on a long-term and holistic planning approach, aiming to comprehensively alleviate and address the longstanding flood problems faced by multiple areas in Bagan Datuk district through a systematic method.

He pointed out that, in order to advance sequentially and more effectively address the flooding issue, multiple engineering measures will be implemented in the first phase of the Bagan Datuk flood control project, including a 0.65 km drainage system improvement project in Tebuk Semani, a 1.25 km drainage system upgrade in Parit 8 Barat (West Area), and the construction of a flood detention pond at Sungai Balai Baroh, in order to comprehensively enhance the area's flood control and drainage capacity.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the MP for Bagan Datuk, made these remarks after visiting Kampung Sungai Balai Baroh on Saturday afternoon to review the progress of several strategic development projects.

He emphasized that, before the large-scale flood control project is fully launched, it is necessary to immediately implement short-term response measures. Therefore, relevant agencies must strengthen cross-agency collaboration, especially in improving culverts and existing drainage systems, to reduce flood risks in the short term.

In addition, Ahmad Zahid also inspected the latest progress of the Bagan Datuk Data Center development project; this initiative is jointly promoted by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA Inc), Silver Streams, and the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA).

He pointed out that this data center is classified as Tier IV, making it one of the largest and highest-capacity data centers in the country, and is expected to bring economic spillover effects and more job opportunities to the local area.

"The Phase 1 data center will have a capacity of 10 megawatts (MW) and is expected to be completed and operational by mid-2027; the Phase 2 capacity of 25 MW will be completed the following year."

Ahmad Zahid expressed hope that both the flood control project and the data center, as two key initiatives, will be carried out smoothly according to the planned timeline, so that the people of Bagan Datuk can directly benefit as soon as possible.