PUTRAJAYA: River basin management will be given priority as a crucial flood mitigation measure in preparation for a potential La Nina phenomenon early next year.
Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) deputy minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said other measures also include the development of flood mitigation infrastructure alongside monitoring and early warning systems.
“This is Petra’s priority through the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) in the near term.
“We are continuously monitoring the situation,” he said after officiating the 6th International Conference on Water Resources (ICWR) here yesterday.
Malaysia is expected to face a brief La Nina episode beginning December 2025 till early next year, which could potentially impact the country’s rainfall patterns.
In a statement on Saturday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said that based on international climate models, there was a 56% probability of the current neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation phase persisting until October next year.
Elaborating on the situation, Akmal Nasrullah said disaster preparedness also involves prioritising maintenance and emergency funding for critical areas.
“Considering existing constraints, assessments will be made to determine which agencies should be prioritised in addressing these issues including in matters of budget allocation.”
Akmal Nasrullah called on all parties, including the private sector, to work together in finding solutions to the country’s water and flood management challenges.
“We need to increase interest and opportunities for private sector involvement by opening the door for those with expertise and technology to contribute more significantly.
“I believe this serves as a strong incentive for industry growth and opens the door to investments,” he said.
The ICWR 2025 convened experts, stakeholders and policymakers to discuss increasingly critical water resource issues in Malaysia, such as floods, droughts and river pollution.
