MP questions RM300bil estimate for flood mitigation

 

A scene in Klang during last month’s floods. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Klang MP Charles Santiago has questioned the soundness of the government’s RM300 billion cost estimate for long-term flood mitigation measures.

Speaking to FMT, he said the government should first conduct a drainage impact assessment and take climate change into account to come up with a “more realistic” estimate.

Environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man recently said the country might need to spend RM300 billion until 2100 for flood mitigation measures. He told a special Parliamentary sitting that the measures would include the building of embankments and dykes and the prevention of coastal erosion.

Santiago, whose constituency was among the areas worst hit in last month’s floods, said the amount estimated by Tuan Ibrahim was “highly speculative” and would rise as more states request new infrastructure to manage floods.

Charles Santiago.

He said Malaysia’s drainage and irrigation system was based on rainfall estimates made 50 years ago, which could hit a maximum of 50mm in about 10 hours.

“Today, the rainfall can reach 100mm within two to three hours,” he said. “It’s time to rethink the entire drainage system in the country.”

Santiago also said the private sector and households would have to get involved in efforts to keep drains and rivers clean.

“In November last year,” he said, “there was an effort by the local council to clean a long stretch of drain that was part of flood mitigation plans. The contractors picked up over 50 tonnes of rubbish.

“Drains and rivers should carry only water, not bottles, sediments and rubbish.

“Malaysians have turned drains into rubbish bins and this has to stop.”

Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

Former water, land and natural resources minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the government had always had flood mitigation plans but funding the projects was an issue.

“We have the technical capabilities to implement these plans, but it’s whether the state and federal governments have the political willpower to discuss with one another the funding for these projects,” he said.

He said the federal government should review projects that had been postponed, such as the RM500 million Sungai Langat Phase 2 flood mitigation plan.

“It was planned for 2016 and has been postponed until today. Projects such as this already exist but just require funding and should be prioritised.” - FMT