The Malaysian government is determined to identify and implement comprehensive long-term solutions to mitigate the impact and losses due to flood, following one of the worst flood situations in December 2021 across the country. In order to do so, a total of MYR 300 billion (USD 71.66 billion) of allocation would be required for staged solutions to be carried out till the year 2100, focusing on the development of the nation’s water infrastructure including not only flood mitigation but also the construction of embankments and tires and prevention of coastal erosion, among others.
According to the Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, successful implementation of the solutions proposed would require the involvement of various stakeholders, including the federal and state government agencies, local authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and communities.
The ministry will develop a climate change adaptation framework for the water sector, which will take into account the need to increase the level of protection of the country’s drainage and coastal infrastructure. Through the strategy, a special fund to increase the adaptive capacity of the water sector and coastal areas will be proposed, together with a National Adaptation Center to take the role of coordinating the policy and implementation process. The strategy will take into account the infrastructure development and maintenance requirement following the climate change factors, including the structure and design of flood mitigation infrastructure.
The infrastructure will include the upgrading of flood management systems, beaches and major rivers as well as embankments, beach tires, rivers and ditches by increasing the level of protection of the drainage and coastal infrastructure design from 100 years Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) to 200 years ARI.
Public awareness programs such as flood drills will also be improved as part of the flood management process. Tuan Ibrahim also informed that the ministry is open to learning the experience of other countries in flood management, and shared that the Dutch government through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur has agreed to help, including sending a Dutch Risk Reduction Team (DRR) to Malaysia to assess the impact of the flood phenomenon and propose appropriate solutions. He said that the ministry is also in the midst of discussion with various parties to make this collaboration a success.
(Source: New Straits Times)
