PUTRAJAYA: The government will enhance the Urban Stormwater Management Manual (MSMA) to improve efficiency in stormwater management further, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said the document was a prerequisite for approving development plans involving drainage infrastructure, which is a primary focus in addressing flood issues.
"The MSMA is a 'living document' continually updated to reflect current conditions.
"Among the things we need to look at is how to introduce appropriate technology for monitoring so we can develop a mechanism to predict potential disasters," he said during a press conference after officiating the National Conference on Stormwater Management (Swam) 2024 here today.
Fadillah said implementing the MSMA in development projects by developers brought significant benefits, including reducing long-term flood risks and ensuring more sustainable development.
He said the methods and guidelines in the MSMA provide a solid foundation for designing drainage systems capable of handling high rainfall intensity, especially in densely populated urban areas.
"When we talk about transformation, this is what we want to see — not just the existing MSMA but also how we can further enhance it and raise awareness about the importance of compliance.
"In Malaysia, one of the challenges is illegal developments carried out without referring to local authorities, which sometimes causes issues," he said.
He also called for collaboration between the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to effectively implement the MSMA.
He said it was essential for all parties involved to ensure the MSMA was strengthened and enforced through appropriate legal measures.
He said that through collaborative efforts and adherence to the MSMA guidelines, better flash flood management could be achieved.
He added this approach would help protect the environment and ensure the safety and well-being of communities.
"Developers are supposed to adhere to the MSMA guidelines, but the actual implementation is handled by consultants who design the systems," he said.
"Sometimes, consultants compromise due to budget constraints imposed by developers, which we must safeguard against. That's why I emphasise that commitment is required from all parties, including developers, consultants, local authorities, the ministry, and state agencies," he added.
Swam 2024, organised by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and the Malaysian Stormwater Organisation (MSO), is a four-day event.
The main objective of the conference is to disseminate information to stakeholders on the importance of resilient stormwater management for future development. Additionally, the conference aims to promote the latest approaches in stormwater management, ensuring that stakeholders are informed about and equipped with the most current and effective practices.