The government should establish a national committee of experts, to investigate the root causes of Malaysia’s recurring floods
PETALING JAYA: The Consumers Association of Penang has called on the government to establish a national committee of experts, including civil society representatives, to investigate the root causes of Malaysia’s recurring floods and recommend effective solutions.
Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader cited the Special Report on the Impact of Floods in Malaysia 2024 by the Statistics Department, which estimated total flood-related losses last year at RM933.4 million.
Losses in the agricultural sector alone rose to RM185.2 million, up from RM120.6 million in 2023.
The association stressed that floods, increasingly affecting states including Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Selangor, should not be attributed solely to heavy rainfall.
“Rainfall is a common annual phenomenon. The question is, how do we manage it?” said Mohideen, highlighting rapid urban development without long-term planning as a major contributor.
“The expansion of impermeable surfaces, narrow drains and the removal of natural green areas, including hills, floodplains and trees, have worsened flooding.
“Deforestation and hill development leads to soil erosion and landslides, increasing sediment in rivers and reducing their capacity to channel rainwater,” it added.
Irresponsible garbage disposal further clogs drains, contributing to waterlogging.
“This will not be the last flood disaster. Many residents are worried about the impact of the next heavy rain on their homes and communities.”
The association called for stricter development controls, including environmental, drainage, transport and social impact assessments for every project.
“Measures such as slope protection, better monitoring of development, urban greening and riverbank protection should be prioritised to reduce flood risks.
“While we cannot stop the rain, we could prevent or mitigate flood damage if we address the root causes.”
As of yesterday, 14,040 flood evacuees from 4,518 families remain in temporary relief centres across eight states.
The Social Welfare Department’s InfoBencana portal reports that 171 centres have been activated in the affected areas.
