V. City Report

Kuantan (Malaysia)

Mr. Alias Bin Mohd. Salleh
Director
Planning and Development Department
Kuantan Municipal Council

The total area of Kuantan City is 2,065 square kilometers. The city has a high area in the west, low land in the central section and swampy area in the coastal region facing the South China Sea.

In 1887 Kuantan City was established as a mining area. The population is 368,000, a low density. Major industries include petroleum chemicals, machinery, and electronics. The city mayor is appointed, with the consent of the federal government. Members of the city assembly are appointed by the state government. Kuantan City is in the state of Pahang. The mayor and members of the city assembly serve two-year terms.

Kuantan Municipal Council receives 60 percent of its revenues from taxes and assessments, 30 percent from non-tax revenue, three percent from receivables. Residents pay a local inhabitants tax, fixed property taxes, income tax and sales tax.

One challenge facing the city is a shortfall of revenue as service demands increase. This shortfall is due to an assessment tax backlog. One measure implemented has been the opening of many more tax collection locations. The city is also trying to cut expenses by not recruiting new personnel, making optimal use of current personnel, controlling utility expenses, conducting a budget review every six months, and developing new sources of income by developing state land.

The water supply department is under the state government. Water supply is the most pressing issue facing Kuantan City, followed by traffic congestion and pollution.

The water reservoir is undersized and cannot meet the demand. Many public developments are rejected because of this, and we receive many complaints from the public. Domestic waste water is often discharged directly into drains, increasing the risk of river pollution and creating a threat to marine life. Solid waste management is limited to a dumping ground mainly for domestic waste. Industrial waste is being dumped in many places.

The city government works closely with NGO's to help provide services. These include working with the Red Cross for health and medical services, and working with the Rotary Club to provide care for the elderly. Citizen groups are also involved in garbage cleanups, recycling programs, tree planting, and long-term planning efforts.

There are four primary rivers in Kuantan City. The Kuantan River is the major source of the water supply, providing 350,000 cubic meters per day. About 78 percent is for domestic use, 18.7 percent for industrial use, and 3.3 percent for agriculture. Water is supplied to a population of 454,422, with 100 percent coverage. In 2000 the water system supplied 85 million cubic meters of water per year. By 2010 this figure is expected to rise to 195 million.

The Kuantan Water Supply Department is headed by the District Engineer. The department faces many challenges, including deteriorating pipes, pipes not able to handle high pressures, plants running at maximum capacity, lack of finances, low water pressure, lack of ability to reach new development areas, and maintaining pipes that are located under roads.

The department is currently upgrading three reservoirs to increase their capacity, and constructing a new reservoir. There is also a number of new piping and water tanks projects under way. This work is all funded by loans from the Malaysian federal government.

Domestic water users pay an increasing charge as water consumption increases. Industrial user rates go down as consumption increases. This is to encourage and expedite the growth of industry in Pahang State and especially Kuantan City.

Sewage service is provided to 159,397 residents, a 60 percent coverage rate. The amount of sewage treated annually is 112,715 cubic meters. The system has a maximum capacity of 300 cubic meters per day, and treats an average of 150 cubic meters per day. The wastewater and stormwater systems are separate.

Challenges facing the sewage system include grease from restaurants and households that do not have facilities to remove it, rubbish being introduced into the sewage system, lack of a standard treatment process in different treatment plants, and the lack of a suitable sludge disposal site for sludge from treatment plants and individual septic tanks.

We are currently upgrading our oxidation pond and aerator lagoon, and are constructing a sludge disposal site.