KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government will reassess the implementation of flood mitigation projects in flood-prone areas in Sabah as a long-term measure to address increasingly frequent flooding attributed to climate change and global warming.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said the extreme weather phenomenon occurring not only in Sabah but globally requires a more comprehensive approach, including a review of the planning and construction of flood mitigation infrastructure.
"This is fundamentally an environmental issue driven by global warming. With rising global temperatures and changing weather patterns, floods are occurring more frequently," he said.
"From the government's side, we will review the affected locations. First, we will identify the flood mitigation projects that can be implemented, and these projects will be prioritised in the areas that are most severely affected," he told reporters after officiating the Ukhuwah Madani programme here on Sunday (Feb 22).
Mustapha, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sepanggar, said the government will continue to closely monitor the flood situation by mobilising all relevant agencies.
"The National Disaster Management Agency and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force have also been mobilised to visit every temporary relief centre to assess the needs and welfare of flood victims," he said.
Mustapha said the government is also focusing on strengthening information dissemination systems and early weather warning mechanisms.
As of noon on Sunday, the number of flood victims in Sabah had decreased to 3,266 individuals from 1,401 families, compared with 5,141 individuals from 2,160 families at 8am the same day.
The flood disaster in the Kota Marudu district was declared over at 11am following improved weather conditions and a complete receding of water levels, while the districts of Pitas, Paitan and Tawau remain affected. – Bernama
