KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia would need an allocation of more than RM300 billion for long-term measures to address the flood phenomenon that could be phased out in stages until 2100.
Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the long-term solution over a period of 50 years would focus on the development of the nation's water infrastructure.
"Among the focus will be flood mitigation, construction of embankments and tires, prevention of coastal erosion and so on.
"The successful implementation of this solution depends on the cooperation of all parties, from Federal and state government agencies, local authorities, non-government organisations (NGOs), the community and so on," he told at a special Dewan Rakyat session today.
Tuan Ibrahim said the ministry was focusing on empowering the governance to adapt climate change for the water sector through the development of the Adaptation Actions for the Water Sector, as a long-term strategy.
He said it would be done by taking into account the need to increase the level of protection of the country's drainage and coastal infrastructure.
"Under this, the ministry will propose the establishment of a special fund or a trust fund to increase the adaptive capacity of the water sector and coastal areas, through infrastructure development and maintenance that takes into account climate change factors.
"A National Adaptation Center under the ministry will be developed to coordinate climate change adaptation policy and implementation, integration of disaster risk reduction and prevention of loss and damage due to the effects of climate change involving vulnerable sectors.
He said developing the structure and design of flood mitigation infrastructure would also be introduced.
This include upgrading flood management systems, beaches and major rivers as well as upgrading embankments/beach tires/rivers and ditches by increasing the level of protection (average repeat period - Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) of the drainage and coastal infrastructure design from 100 years ARI to 200 years ARI.
Tuan Ibrahim said a public awareness programme would also be improved, such as flood drills, to ensure the public are better prepared when facing the disaster.
"This approach will be implemented at school and community level to raise awareness among the public when facing flood warnings, as well as introducing steps that could be taken if facing with this threat," he said.
Tuan Ibrahim said the Dutch government through the Dutch Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has agreed to help with the flood management process.
"We welcome to learn the experiences of other countries in flood management. Among the assistance include sending a Dutch Risk Reduction Team (DRR) to Malaysia to assess the impact of the flood phenomenon and propose appropriate solutions.
"The ministry is also in the midst of discussions with various parties to make this collaboration a success," he said.