MB: SJAM can resolve 99 pct of droughts, water pollution incidents

By Sofia Nasir

KUALA SELANGOR, May 13 — The Raw Water Security Scheme (SJAM) project can resolve issues related to water pollution or drought in Selangor by up to 99 per cent, said Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.

He said the water scheme, which involves four packages, is now almost fully completed, with the largest component under Package A — the Hybrid Off-River Augmentation System (HORAS) 600 pond — officially launched today.

The HORAS 600 pond in Bestari Jaya can supply water to 1.2 million user accounts, with a pumping capacity of 2,733 million litres daily (MLD).

“We have spent RM320 million on the construction of water treatment plants and pumping stations under the SJAM project, ensuring a continuous supply of raw water in Selangor.

“This will, in turn, guarantee our water supply even in the event of pollution or drought. I dare not say 100 per cent because there may be other unavoidable challenges,” Amirudin said during the press conference.

Meanwhile, he said the state government is currently drafting a water master plan to address issues related to long-term water supply and pollution and solve flood problems in certain areas of the state in a holistic manner.

The plan, which will be used as a guideline in managing water resources, includes aspects of storage, reservoir locations, and long-term flood control systems, and is expected to be completed within a year.

[caption id="attachment_400695" align="aligncenter" width="1242"] Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (centre) officiates the handover ceremony of the Raw Water Security Scheme's Package A and Package C at the Hybrid Off-River Augmentation System pond in Kuala Selangor on May 13, 2025. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]

"If there is less water, we face supply problems, but if there is more, there will be floods, and this master plan will take both aspects into account comprehensively.

"So far, more than 100 ponds have been identified throughout the state, and most of them are in the process of being gazetted as strategic storage areas," Amirudin said.

Earlier, he officiated the handover ceremony of the SJAM pump stations (Packages A and C) from the project consultants and contractors to the state government and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd.

Also present were State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin, state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim, and Air Selangor chief executive officer Adam Saffian Ghazali.

Introduced in the 2021 Selangor Budget, SJAM aims to address incidents of river pollution and raw water shortages. The initiative also includes 24-hour proactive patrol and monitoring operations led by the Selangor Water Management Authority’s Rapid Response Team.

Under SJAM, Package A involves the construction of the HORAS 600 pump station, Package B includes a pump station in Rantau Panjang, Package C comprises the diversion of Sungai Selangor, and Package D is a pond pump station in Semenyih.

[caption id="attachment_400696" align="aligncenter" width="1368"] Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari inspects the exhibit explaining the Raw Water Security Scheme's packages, during its Package A and Package C handover ceremony at the Hybrid Off-River Augmentation System pond in Kuala Selangor on May 13, 2025. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]