PETRA Improves Flood Mitigation, Continues MA63 Negotiations
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- 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.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said 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.
He said that the River Conservation Project is also being implemented for river channelization, bank stabilisation, drainage channel repair and upgrading of flood control structures.
“This 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.
“Of the total, 20 projects are new projects, while 121 projects are continuations with an estimated total cost of RM24.7 billion,” he said when winding up the debate on the 2026 Supply Bill at policy level for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said 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.
Fadillah, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said 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, 10 are being implemented and five are in the planning stage.
“For RP1, 13MP, a total of six new PISMA studies have been approved. The implementation of PISMA helps ensure that new developments do not increase the risk of flooding in high-impact areas,” he said.
He however said 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,” he said.
Apart from the flood issue, the ministry is also paying attention to matters related to 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 of them being finalised during the MADANI Government’s administration.
“While the remaining four matters under MA63 were agreed upon under the previous federal government,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
