The Federal Government has sanctioned an allocation of RM61 million to combat severe coastal erosion in Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah. Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, has announced that work on the seven-kilometre stretch in this prominent tourist locale is slated to commence this year, with an anticipated completion timeline of six years.
“The final design will be completed this year. It will include breakwaters and other mitigation efforts to stabilise the coastline and protect the beach,” stated Akmal Nasrullah after inspecting the erosion site at Pantai Paramount fishermen’s jetty. In a prior visit to Kedah and Penang, he examined the erosion in Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah.
As reported by Bernama on 2 April, Batu Ferringhi has been battling escalating coastal erosion, impacting its visual allure. Observations indicated sandbags, used as provisional wave breakers, were dispersed along the coast.
Akmal Nasrullah has emphasised that the project design will focus on coastal safety, effectively controlling erosion while maintaining the area’s reputation as a prime tourist destination. “The design will aim to protect the coastline while preserving its appeal as a key tourism spot,” he remarked. Additionally, he mentioned the erosion control plan will assess river flows from Sungai Mas, Sungai Kechil, and Sungai Kelian, identified as contributing factors.
The project aims to develop a sustainable, secure, and cleaner coastline, bolstering the state’s eco-tourism potential. It will also enhance the discharge of river water into the sea through the construction of specific outfall structures.
Meanwhile, Akmal Nasrullah observed that erosion at Pantai Paramount has extended up to two metres inland over a one-kilometre span, causing damage to structures, including the flooring of a shed. Consequently, the Penang Department of Irrigation and Drainage has proposed constructing coastal protection structures at the site, under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan. The ministry is in the process of reviewing this proposal.
