Floods: Over RM300bil needed for long-term management, says Tuan Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR: Over RM300bil is needed for the proposed long-term solutions to flood problems nationwide which will be implemented in phases for 50 years until 2100, says Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

He said this included projects to develop water infrastructures such as flood mitigation systems, construction of embankments as well as the prevention of coastal erosion.

"The Ministry believes that through the proposed short- and long-term solutions, we can at least minimise the impact of floods in terms of property damage or loss of lives,” he said at the briefing on the long-term flood management at the Special Meeting of Dewan Rakyat here on Thursday (Jan 20).

Among the proposed long-term solutions, he said, was to strengthen the governance of climate change adaption of the water sector through the formulation of the Water Sector Adaptation Act by taking into account the need to increase the level of protection of the country’s drainage and coastal infrastructures.

Under this Act, the Ministry would propose the setting up of a special fund or trust fund to increase the adaptive capacity of the water sector and coastal areas through the development and maintenance of infrastructures that takes into account climate change factors.

Tuan Ibrahim said other measures included the development of a National Adaptation Centre to coordinate policies and implementation of climate change adaptation, integration of disaster risks and prevention of loss and damage due to the effects of climate change involving vulnerable sectors.

"Also, to increase the capacity of floodwater reservoirs through the implementation of riverside reservoirs (TAPS) projects and dams for flood mitigation and water resources purposes," he said.

"Besides that, the use of nature-based solutions such as the construction of river trails as a platform for community involvement in river protection, cleaning and conservation activities,”added Tuan Ibrahim.

In facing future challenges, Tuan Ibrahim said the ministry was also open to learning the experience of other countries in flood management.

For example, he said the Netherlands had offered to send the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) team to Malaysia to assess the impact of floods in the country and propose appropriate solutions.

"The ministry is in discussions with various parties to make this collaboration a success,” he said. - Bernama