Govt mulls fixed allocations to states for flood management, river maintenance
Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the proposal requires in-depth policy and legal studies to ensure it does not conflict with the Federal Constitution.
He said this was because matters involving water resources, rivers, and drainage fall under the jurisdiction of the respective state governments.
"The government acknowledges the need for a fixed annual allocation, in line with current demands to ensure more effective flood management and maintenance efforts," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Chow Kon Yeow (PH–Batu Kawan), who asked whether the government planned to improve its funding mechanism by replacing ad hoc allocations with a more structured and holistic approach for state-level flood management.
Akmal said the ministry was also exploring the development of an integrated river and asset management system, inspired by the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) used for maintaining state roads.
"MARRIS derives its authority from Article 109(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution under the provision for state road maintenance.
"The system compiles data on the length and width of roads, which is then analysed and coordinated by the Public Works Department (PWD) before allocations are recommended to the Finance Ministry."
He added that while the federal government may provide financial and technical assistance, the primary responsibility for river maintenance still rests with the state governments as stipulated in current provisions.
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