KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — Malaysia looks forward to expanding collaboration with the Netherlands in developing pilot projects on flood mitigation and climate resilience, says Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The ministry and the Netherlands Embassy have engaged in various collaborations in the field, the most recent being the assistance in tackling water disasters rendered by the Dutch Surge Support (DSS) scheme.
“The outcome of this programme is the report by the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) team which highlighted the gaps, challenges and recommendations to improve Malaysia’s flood risks that further strengthen our response to future flood risks and related climate change impacts,” he said.
Nik Nazmi was speaking at the 6th Malaysia-The Netherlands Water Dialogue with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) today.
He hopes Malaysia can learn from the Netherland’s experiences as a low-lying country which successfully tackled various water-related issues.
“The intricate network of dykes, canals, and pumps that the Dutch have ingeniously constructed over centuries showcases their mastery over water management,” Nik Nazmi said.
However, climate change, with its threat of rising sea levels and increased precipitation, would also challenge Dutch water management strategies.
“As such, we hope also to understand how it (the Netherlands) deals with these new dangers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rutte expressed his admiration for Malaysia’s efforts to improve flood resilience, namely the SMART Tunnel, a key feature in flood management efforts.
“To us in the Netherlands, a tunnel that channels flood waters past the city centre is a real feat of engineering,” he said.
However, Rutte noted that building more steel and concrete infrastructure may not be enough long-term.
“We are learning that green infrastructure and nature-based solutions are often more resilient, flexible, and reversible than traditional methods,” he said.
The Water Dialogue is an annual event co-organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change and the Embassy of Netherlands in Malaysia, which serves as a platform for experts to address various water-related issues.
Rutte arrived in Malaysia yesterday for a two-day working visit, his second to the country since 2014.
— Bernama
