KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — The government is committed to continue the Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB) in Sarawak River and is expected to be completed by 2025, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Minister of Environment and Water (KASA) Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad said the RM191 million project is currently in the process of detailed design and tender process to start next year.
“This is the government’s highest commitment to address flood disaster nationwide,” he said here today.
He was answering a question from Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan) who wanted the ministry to state the country’s preparations for flood disasters as well as the current status of flood mitigation projects in Kota Samarahan.
Ahmad Masrizal also said that in the 11th Malaysia Plan, a total of 22 flood mitigation projects in Sarawak have been approved, costing RM561 million.
He said through the river conservation programme to reduce flood risk in the states, the ministry channelled an allocation of RM88.4 million specifically for Sarawak for the purpose of carrying out river conservation work in the state.
“The federal government has also allocated RM5.1 million to Sarawak for the implementation of the Economic Stimulus Project which includes upgrading and strengthening river banks, drainage systems, dredging and cleaning works including silt removal, rehabilitate river trails and other structures related to rivers and flood mitigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, as part of the country’s preparation to face floods, he said the ministry through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has implemented several approaches including online monitoring of rainfall and water levels at major rivers nationwide via the website publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my which can be accessed by all parties.
Through the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the latest flood forecast and warning data at 41 river basins nationwide will be provided, including in Kota Samarahan which is expected to be fully completed by 2025.
“Thus far, there are three river basins that are fully operational, namely, Kelantan River, Terengganu River and Pahang River,” he said.
Ahmad Masrizal also said that the preparation of the River Basin Management Plan is one of the approaches taken to reduce flood risks through non-structural methods.
Sources: BERNAMA