By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Oct 13 — The Federal government has allocated RM11.8 billion in Budget 2024 for flood mitigation efforts nationwide, which includes the Sungai Langat flood mitigation project (RTB) Phase 2 in Selangor.
During its tabling in the Dewan Rakyat today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the flood mitigation initiatives have been set in motion to safeguard residents and prevent more destruction to life and property.
He said the RM11.8 billion allocation is enveloped within the more extensive 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), which has set aside RM22 billion specifically for flood mitigation projects.
“In the coming year, 33 high-priority flood mitigation projects will be implemented with a projected expenditure of RM11.8 billion.
“The letters of acceptance (LOA) for 24 projects are expected to be issued this year, starting from October, involving RM5.1 billion. The remaining projects will be granted the LOA in the first quarter of 2024,” said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister.
Among the 33 projects include flood mitigation plans in Sungai Langat Phase 2, Lembangan Sungai Pahang, Pahang, Sungai Jelai in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan; Sungai Likas in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; the Kuching Phase 2, Sarawak; Baling Phase 2, Kedah; and an integrated river basin development of Sungai Kelantan Phase 2, Kelantan.
The Sungai Langat (RTB) Phase 2 was approved in the 12MP to address the flood problems in Hulu Langat and the scope of the project would include strengthening, widening and deepening of the river, bund construction, river bank stabilisation, and upgrading flood mitigation ponds.
Meanwhile, to further tackle issues of water stagnation and flash floods, a RM20 million allocation has been granted to 150 local authorities for repair works of damaged drainage systems.
Drawing attention to last year’s heartbreaking Batang Kali landslide incident in Hulu Selangor, which killed 31 people, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s RM563 million commitment to slope repairs nationwide.
“This includes monitoring, preventive measures, reporting mechanisms, and early warning systems, covering over 2,000 high-risk slopes,” he added.
