KUALA LUMPUR, May 13, 2026 — Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the prolonged delays affecting the Sungai Limau Water Treatment Plant (LRA Sungai Limau) in Baling, Kedah, revealing that the problem has followed him from his previous ministerial role into the Economic Ministry.
In a video posted on X today, Akmal Nasir stated that he had repeatedly warned authorities during his tenure as Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Energy Transition and Public Utilities (PETRA). After three site visits, he cautioned that further postponements would drive up costs and cause hardship for more residents.
“Those warnings have now become reality,” he said.
The project, which began in 2021 with an estimated value of nearly RM100 million, saw its original contractor’s contract terminated in April 2025 after achieving only about 15–25% physical progress. A request for an additional RM50 million to cover escalated costs has now landed on the desk of the Economic Ministry.
“Here we go again,” Akmal remarked, noting that this marks his team’s fourth inspection of the site.
The video accompanying the post is a one-minute compilation of footage from his site visits in 2024 and 2025, highlighting the minimal progress made over nearly five years of construction. Text overlays in the clip question the slow pace of work despite years of effort.
The federal government is expected to inject the extra RM50 million and proceed with a re-tender. A new contractor is anticipated to be appointed as early as July, with completion potentially taking up to another three years.
The LRA Sungai Limau project is seen as critical for enhancing water supply reliability in Kedah, a state that has experienced recurring low water reserves in recent years.
Akmal’s post has drawn attention to ongoing issues of project management and accountability in public infrastructure development.
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