Permanent Secretary: Smart flood control system must evolve with climate, urban demands
KUCHING (July 9): Sarawak must adopt smarter, more resilient flood control systems to cope with the dual pressures of rapid urbanisation and climate change, said Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Desmond Douglas Jerukan.
He said the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, particularly floods, have made it clear that urgent and coordinated action is needed.
'Sarawak, like many rapidly urbanising regions around the world, is facing a growing set of challenges tied to climate change and urban development.
'The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather, especially floods, has made it clear that we must act decisively and collaboratively.
'Our cities, infrastructure and communities require flood management systems that are not only robust, but also intelligent and adaptable,' he said when officiating at the Seminar on Improving Flood Control in Stormwater Systems for Sarawak: Current Status, Challenges and Capabilities 2025 here yesterday.
Desmond described the seminar as a timely platform that aligns with the state's broader development goals.
'It offers a much-needed space for technical exchange, strategic dialogue and innovation sharing.
'More importantly, it supports the aspirations outlined in Sarawak's Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
'Under this strategy, our state is committed to achieving high-income status, environmental sustainability and social inclusivity through innovation and digital transformation,' he said.
He stressed that flood resilience, stormwater management, and digital infrastructure must not be seen solely not just as engineering challenges, but as key enablers of economic growth, public safety and environmental protection.
Desmond said the integrated approach discussed at the seminar reflects the importance of combining policy, technology and practical solutions to address issues such as outdated drainage in fast-developing areas, fragmented hydrological data, and a lack of coordinated planning across agencies.
He noted that persistent challenges include ageing infrastructure, inconsistent data collection, and the complex nature of inter-agency coordination.
The seminar offered a strategic overview of the state's current stormwater infrastructure and ongoing flood mitigation efforts, while highlighting relevant policy frameworks and digital innovations now reshaping how water systems are designed and managed.
Topics covered included real-time data monitoring, predictive modelling and the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in infrastructure development.
The event also underscored the importance of inter-agency coordination, data-sharing and capacity-building for long-term success.
It also addressed key technical and operational challenges, including limited modelling accuracy and the need for stronger cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
Also present as one of the keynote speakers was Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Dr Cassidy Morris. climate change Douglas Jerukan flood control systems urbanisation
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Borneo Post
RM100 aid meaningful for vulnerable groups, says PBB man
Ariffin Mohamad MIRI (July 26): The RM100 Sara cash aid may seem modest, but it can make a meaningful difference for Malaysia's most vulnerable groups, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Piasau branch chairman Ariffin Mohamad. While some critics have dismissed the federal government's RM100 one-off assistance as inadequate, Ariffin, who is also Deputy Miri Mayor, argued that 'every ringgit counts' for families struggling with the rising cost of living. 'I believe that with any one-off assistance like this, we simply cannot please everyone. RM100 may seem like nothing to some, but for others, especially those struggling to make ends meet, such as senior citizens, single mothers, daily wage earners, or those who've lost their jobs, it can go a long way in easing their burden,' he said. Ariffin also praised the direct crediting of the aid via MyKad, calling it an efficient and inclusive approach. 'I view this as a short-term relief measure by the Federal Government to inject immediate assistance to the people. 'The decision to credit the aid directly through MyKad without requiring applications is a practical and efficient way to ensure wide and fast distribution, especially to those in rural areas or without digital access,' he added. However, he stressed the need for clear public communication to ensure all eligible recipients understand how to use the aid and are aware of the usage deadline. The RM100 initiative is part of the Madani Government's broader cost-of-living relief package, which also includes fuel price reductions and a freeze on toll rate hikes. Still, some rural representatives in Sarawak have urged Putrajaya to tailor such rollouts to local contexts, noting that the needs and challenges in Sarawak differ from those in Peninsular Malaysia. While acknowledging the value of short-term aid, Ariffin emphasised the importance of long-term planning tailored to Sarawak's unique development needs. 'As at the state level, I believe GPS has always stayed true to its struggle — to protect Sarawak's rights, to fight for greater autonomy, and to ensure that Sarawakians are not left behind in national policies,' he said. He highlighted Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) focus on sustainable growth through initiatives such as the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), rural infrastructure development, improved internet access via the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy, and state-led enterprises like Petros and the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund. 'Over the years, GPS has focused on strengthening Sarawak's economy through these various initiatives to ensure Sarawak's wealth is managed for long-term benefit,' he said. Looking ahead, he stressed the need to strike a balance between immediate support and sustainable policy reforms. 'That is why for me, beyond short-term aid like this, what truly matters is continuing to push for policies that are fair to and reflect the real needs of our people — not just for today, but for generations to come,' said Ariffin. Ariffin Mohamad lead SARA vulnerable groups
Barnama
2 days ago
- Barnama
BIM Annual Dinner 2025 Celebrates Professional Excellence and Nation-Building
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia (BIM) hosted its highly anticipated Annual Dinner on 23 July 2025 at the Millennium Ballroom, Le Meridien Putrajaya, celebrating the spirit of professionalism and its vital role in Malaysia's progress under the theme 'Empowering Professionals, Advancing the Nation.' The event was graced by YB Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Deputy Minister of Works, as the Guest of Honour, alongside Prof. ChM. Dr. Juan Joon Ching, President of BIM, and leaders of BIM's 23 professional member institutions.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Sejahtera MADANI raises RM120 million to end poverty in Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia MADANI People's Wellbeing Initiative (Sejahtera MADANI), launched today to end poverty, has successfully raised nearly RM120 million, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. Speaking at the launch, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the initiative had received overwhelming support from the private sector, surpassing its initial fundraising target of RM50 million. 'I said if Sejahtera MADANI could raise RM50 million, that would already be a success, and the government could top it up a bit, but today the response has not just doubled, it's gone far beyond that. 'The initiative has now raised nearly RM120 million. This is a meaningful project, and we want to drive this nation to become strong and great,' he said. Present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar also reiterated his MADANI Government's commitment to ending hardcore poverty in Malaysia through coordinated efforts and strategic approaches. 'My target, together with the Cabinet, is to end hardcore poverty. Based on data from 2023 to 2024, we've made significant progress. Even though new cases may emerge, the overall numbers are far lower than before,' he said. The Prime Minister also praised the commitment of all stakeholders, particularly the private sector and Islamic religious councils, for working alongside the government to tackle one of the country's most persistent issues. Sejahtera MADANI is a national initiative aimed at assisting poor and hardcore poor households registered under the National Poverty Database or the eKasih system. Coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM), the initiative consolidates various aid interventions across ministries, agencies, and private entities for a focused and integrated poverty eradication strategy. In a statement issued at the launch, ICU JPM described Sejahtera MADANI as being anchored on a 'whole-of-nation approach,' enhanced with high-impact and sustainable programs targeting both heads of households and household members under the eKasih system. The initiative focuses on four key areas, namely income generation, education, housing, and social welfare. The government is targeting RM100 million in corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions for Sejahtera MADANI, all of which will be channelled to the People's Wellbeing Fund managed by ICU JPM. 'All CSR contributions under this initiative qualify for income tax deductions under Subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967,' the statement read. As of July 15, a total of 306,403 heads of households are registered in the eKasih database nationwide, comprising 1,017 classified as hardcore poor and 305,386 as poor. - Bernama
