Kuala lumpur: A total of 141 Flood Mitigation Projects (FMP) have been approved under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) nationwide as the government's structural approach to reducing flood risks. Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated that the ministry has acknowledged the challenges in implementing these projects, which include detailed technical studies, designs based on targeted protection levels, land acquisition processes, and the relocation of existing utilities. These factors could potentially impact the project completion timeline and may cause delays.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, during the debate on the Supply Bill 2026 in the Dewan Negara, Nasrullah highlighted these issues. In addition, he mentioned that six water supply projects valued at RM1.27 billion have also been approved under RP1 of the 13MP. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii discussed improvements being made by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). These include upgrading the radar observation network in Kuching, Sarawak; Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; and Subang, Selangor, to enhance weather monitoring and warning systems.
Various dissemination platforms have been implemented to improve service delivery and ensure broader information dissemination. MetMalaysia is also upgrading 23 tsunami sirens and plans to upgrade 30 more under the 13MP. On the National Groundwater Resource Mapping and Development Project (PABT), Huang detailed its initiation in Kedah as a pilot project from 2021 to 2025, costing RM16 million. The Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (JMG) is conducting systematic aquifer mapping utilizing geophysical surveys, groundwater exploration, and 3D/4D modelling.
JMG's findings have identified several high-potential aquifer zones in lowland districts and alluvial basins in Kedah, which can serve as alternative water sources. Huang explained that PABT's approach in Kedah is practical and cost-effective, suitable for the country's geological conditions. It aims to produce robust 3D/4D aquifer models for planning, protection zoning, and new well development, as opposed to Japan's 4D aquifer mapping technology. While the government remains open to Japanese technological expertise, the current focus is on completing baseline mapping and developing a groundwater database through pilot projects like PABT Kedah before expanding to other states.