PETALING JAYA: More sabo structures will be built across the country in an effort to reduce debris flood similar to what happened in Baling, Kedah, recently, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
A sabo structure is designed to slow the water current to lower river or streams as well as to trap logs, huge rocks and debris during a water surge phenomenon.
He said sabo structures would be built across riverbeds to hold debris including boulders, mud and logs, thus slowing the flow of water and reducing the impact of strong currents, especially after heavy rains.
“So far, one sabo structure is being built in Yan, Kedah, and will also be built in Baling, as well as in Janda Baik, Pahang, soon,” he said in a statement after chairing the fourth meeting of the National Water Council at the Kuala Lumpur Conventional Centre yesterday.
He said the Federal Government had set aside RM393bil to strengthen the governance of climate change adaptation in phases over the implementation period of 50 years.
Of the total, he said RM15bil was allocated for the implementation of flood mitigation projects from 2023 to 2030.
“I have also instructed relevant ministries and agencies to increase the usage of groundwater and rainwater resources to reduce the dependency on treated water including the use for rural, agricultural irrigation and sewage systems.
“The use of alternative water resources that are cheap and readily available must be considered for infrastructure development as well as new buildings which have been implemented in most countries to save the cost of using treated water,” he added.
The Prime Minister said despite having 5,000 billion cubic metres of groundwater capacity, Malaysia’s usage was lower than 3% compared to other countries.
During the meeting, three consideration papers were approved, namely the Water Sector Transformation 2040; recognising the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) Water Quality Laboratory as the Water Research Forensic Laboratory and the sharing of Flood Hazard Map with the public.
“The agenda of the water transformation is to manifest the Federal Government’s commitment to develop the water sector while ensuring water security and sustainability and making the sector a catalyst for the national economy.
“The Water Research Forensic Laboratory will be an alternative for the Chemistry Department to research on water pollution,” he said.
As for the Flood Hazard Map information, he said it would show probable flooding areas based on current and future land use, a practice that was implemented in other countries such as the United States and Britain.
