MMC Gamuda Joint Venture's double railway tracks project was issued a stop-work order today, pending a guarantee that it would pay compensation arising from damage caused by floods.

In announcing this, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the decision was arrived at today's state exco meeting following claims that the project, which started in January 2008, had worsened the flood situation in Kedah.

He added that the firm had been criticised strongly by Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak and Local Government Minister Chor Chee Heung.

NONE"Penang is seriously concerned over the allegations of the two leaders, one from Barisan Nasional and the other from Pakatan Rakyat; they have yet to retract their statements," said Lim (right in photo), at a press conference here today.

"This shows this is no longer a political matter but the opinion of the two leaders who have viewed the current situation; it is a non-partisan issue," he added.

The contract for the RM12.84 billion 329km double-tracking system running from Padang Besar to Ipoh was signed in 2007.

Lim said the stop order would be lifted once the firm provides a written guarantee that it would bear all costs resulting from losses caused by flooding in mainland Penang, as it did in Kedah.

No-nonsense stand

"This is to defend the lives of our people, especially those living in the mainland," he added.

He hoped for a early meeting between state and MMC Gamuda representatives and wanted the written commitment without any conditions attached.

Lim said the state also wanted the firm to dismantle tracks causing rainwater to stagnate when floods occur in the state.

He added the recent flood situation was ‘extraordinary', the worst in the history of floods in Kedah, from the heavy rainfall.

double tracking railway track 200505 construction 3But because of the massive project, the stagnant waters could not flow and thus ran onto lower lands.

"Due to all these allegations, Penang views the project seriously; we are worried and concerned that if water continues to be blocked, it would worsen the situation if a similar thing happens here," he said.

Gamuda turns chicken

Just last week, the PAS-led Kedah government blamed the double-tracking railway project for the floods in the state.

Azizan, who is also state PAS commissioner, said the contractors should improve the drainage for flood waters to flow quickly into rivers.

azlan"During the big floods of five years ago, the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport and several other areas were never in water," said Azizan.

"But since the start of the double-tracking project, flooding has become worse in Kedah", he added.

Azizan said MMC Gamuda failed to turn up for an urgent meeting the state had organised to discuss the problem.

He added if the firm continues to dodge the meeting, he will direct the Drainage and Irrigation Department to immediately open up a passage for the flood waters.

Bernama recently reported that only 2,170 people remained in flood relief centres down from Thursday's 5,103.

At the height of last week's floods, over 40,000 people were evacuated.

Eleven flood relief centres are still open in the state with seven in Kubang Pasu and the rest in Kota Setar.