Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) continues to strengthen flood mitigation infrastructure and river management throughout the country to increase resilience to climate change risks.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, its Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof stated that as a main strategy, PETRA is implementing a structured approach that includes the Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) project, coastal erosion control, and river estuary conservation. The River Conservation Project is also being implemented for river channelization, bank stabilization, drainage channel repair, and upgrading of flood control structures.
Fadillah emphasized that the measure is being implemented to ensure that flood mitigation infrastructure is developed sustainably and is resilient to climate change. Under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP), First Rolling Plan (RP1) Year 2026, a total of 141 projects have been approved for implementation nationwide. Out of these, 20 projects are new, while 121 projects are continuations with an estimated total cost of RM24.7 billion. He highlighted that all the projects were planned by taking into account the priorities of high-risk areas, socio-economic impacts, and the continuity of the RTB programme under 12MP.
The Minister, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, added that apart from that, the ministry through DID also developed the Environmentally Friendly Drainage Master Plan Study (PISMA) which serves as the main reference document in sustainable development planning. PISMA assesses existing drainage system issues including water quality, drainage capacity, and integration with urban systems. As of 2025, 35 PISMA studies have been completed nationwide, with 10 being implemented and five in the planning stage. For RP1, 13MP, a total of six new PISMA studies have been approved, ensuring that new developments do not increase the risk of flooding in high-impact areas.
He further noted that DID has taken action to maintain, deepen and clean drainage, rivers, and flood reservoirs to face the Northeast Monsoon. DID is responsible for ensuring that all related infrastructure including supporting assets can function optimally in reducing the risk and impact of floods and supporting the safety of local communities.
In addition to addressing flood issues, the ministry is also focusing on matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) raised by members of parliament from Sabah and Sarawak. Fadillah informed that the MADANI Government remains committed to continuing negotiations on MA63 matters with the Sabah and Sarawak state governments in accordance with the Federal Constitution. To date, 13 of the 29 matters under MA63 discussed under the official MA63 negotiation platform have been resolved, with nine finalized during the MADANI Government’s administration, while the remaining four were agreed upon under the previous federal government.