TEMERLOH: The government will focus on identifying as well as implementing comprehensive long-term solutions to mitigate the impact and losses resulting from floods.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said once the present post-flood operation ends, the National Disaster Management (NADMA) will sit with all menteris besar and chief ministers to discuss the issues, solutions and suitable models to combat the natural disaster on a bigger scale.
"Mitigation efforts to tackle the floods will be given top priority as we had previously discussed the short term and long term measures during the last meeting in October.... coincidently when the floods occurred. The mitigation plans will identify the critical areas (severely flood-prone areas) and what can be done to overcome the floods from becoming an annual misery.
"Flood related issues and suitable solutions will be identified. For example, we will decide to deepen the rivers after receiving the report from Kasa (Water and Environment Ministry) and the Drainage and Irrigation Department or maybe in Kedah, the shallow water channels (tali air) have to be deepened.. building concrete embankment along the rivers to avoid the water from spilling (over)," he told reporters during a press conference after distributing the Keluarga Malaysia Flood Aid to 600 heads of families at the Temerloh Municipal Hall in Lanchang here today.
Also present was Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Lanchang assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin.
Ismail Sabri said to date RM1.4 billion has been spent for flood aid and the amount is expected to increase further when the government receives a detailed report on the current floods.
"The extreme floods this year might result in bigger losses and damages. Each time it floods, the government has to spend a lot, so it is high time to look into long term flood mitigation solutions," he said.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said once they identify issues and the appropriate solutions, the government will study the cost and look towards implementing the mitigation efforts.
"We might not be able to carry out all the mitigation plans simultaneously or it might need some time to implement it. We will focus on flood-prone districts, for example, areas that will be first to be inundated even before other locations in the same district are hit by floods.
"We might study the river dikes flood prevention method utilised in the Netherlands or the 'sponge city' concept in China where innovations are used to absorb the (excess) water..... maybe we need to build water retention ponds to accommodate the heavy rain during the monsoon season and utilise the water during the dry season.
"The Smart tunnel (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel Sdn Bhd) has been effective to reduce the flood problems in Kuala Lumpur and maybe it could be built in other major cities to help divert the floodwaters... whatever model is adopted, the aim will be to minimise and prevent major floods," he said.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said he will chair the Flood Management Task Force meeting led by Mohd Zuki on Jan 3 followed by the special cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
On a suggestion by the Pahang Menteri Besar to reintroduce the flood housing scheme (for those living in flood-hit areas), Ismail Sabri said the finer details had to be discussed with the respective state government.
"Land comes under the state government's jurisdiction so they will have to decide on the suitable locations to relocate those living in flood-prone areas while the Federal government might be able to assist with the budget.. we have to discuss.
"During the floods in 1971, the scheme was introduced in Pahang and was known as Rumah Banjir (flood homes). Those living along the riverbanks were relocated to houses built on higher ground," he said.
On calls for the Employees' Provident Fund's i-Citra withdrawal scheme to be extended to flood victims despite the various cash aid, Ismail Sabri said those who were unhappy will continue to criticise.
"I am executing my duties for the people, the Menteri Besar has his duty to serve the people in Pahang and if there are those who want to bash (hentam) me on social media, then I leave it to them," he said.