Kota Iskandar: Eight of the 11 High Priority Flood Mitigation projects in Johor are currently under implementation across six districts, including Segamat, Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat, Muar, Tangkak, and Johor Bahru. Johor State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh shared these updates during the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, three of the remaining projects are in the pre-implementation phase, focusing on design negotiations and technical studies. Among the active projects is the Sungai Muar Flood Mitigation Plan Phase 3, Package 1 in Segamat, which involves upgrading the Muar River between the confluence of Sungai Jementah to Sungai Labis, valued at RM461 million.
Other ongoing projects include the RTB Sungai Muar Phase 3, Package 2 in Segamat, designed to increase the capacity of Sungai Labis, Sungai Jementah, and its branches at a cost of RM70.95 million, and the RTB Bandar Batu Pahat project worth RM187.17 million. Two significant projects in Kota Tinggi are the RTB Sungai Johor Phase 1, Package 1, which includes constructing a flood reservoir and upgrading works of Sungai Johor worth RM376 million, and Package 2, aimed at improving Sungai Johor and its branches, valued at RM74.2 million.
The TBBT project also includes strengthening the Semberong flood mitigation dam in Batu Pahat at a cost of RM33 million, with completion expected in July 2028. In the Tangkak district, work is ongoing on the Sungai Kesang Basin RTB project, which began in August 2023 and is anticipated to finish by August 2024, costing RM24.8 million. The Sungai Pemandi RTB in Kota Tinggi, with a budget of RM29.73 million, is also expected to conclude next year.
In the pre-implementation stage, the Sungai Muar Phase II RTB project in Muar/Tangkak, valued at RM331 million, is slated to begin design negotiations in June 2025. The Sungai Batu Pahat (Seri Medan) RTB, costing RM56.7 million, is expected to start in July 2025. Additionally, a development study for the Sungai Skudai Basin in Johor Bahru, valued at RM9 million, involves a 12-month technical design process beginning in October 2026.
Mohamad Fazli emphasized that the state government is proactively approving nine flood mitigation plan projects across Tangkak, Pontian, Kulai, Segamat, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Batu Pahat, Mersing, and Johor Bahru districts, with a total allocation of RM15.53 million. The state is also seeking additional funds from the federal government, with requests amounting to RM2.23 billion through the 13 Malaysia Plan and RM60.38 million via the state government.
For flood hotspot areas, particularly in Johor Bahru city, seven projects are underway with an investment of RM142.7 million. The federal government, through the 5th Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, has approved the Sungai Skudai Integrated River Basin Development Project at a cost of RM99 million, covering all risky areas in the Sungai Skudai basin, including Kg Poh Chi Lin, Kg Sepakat Baru, Kg Laut, and Kg Syahbandar. The project is in the consultant appointment stage, with physical works set to commence in 2027.