Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is requesting an additional RM800 million to implement comprehensive flood prevention measures in affected areas, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the additional RM800 million is needed to implement three work packages under the Moyog River flood mitigation plan, which the Sabah Government has submitted to be included for implementation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});He added that RM300 million of the amount is for land acquisitions/compensations, while the remaining RM500 million is for the actual works.
“Once all the packages are completed, Penampang, Putatan and some parts of Kota Kinabalu are expected to be flood-free in 2030,” he told reporters during a visit to the Flood Mitigation Plan project in Kepayan, Monday. He was accompanied by Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick.
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Various flood control measures have been introduced over the years, with projects carried out in phases.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});However, flooding remains a recurring problem, particularly in urban areas like Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan, which are vulnerable due to rapid development, inadequate drainage systems and the impact of climate change.
Ahmad Zahid said the flood mitigation projects currently being implemented by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) in Sabah and Sarawak would be closely monitored to ensure there are no delays that could hinder efforts to reduce flood impact once the projects are completed.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“In Sabah, a total of 14 flood mitigation projects will be implemented, with two projects already completed and in the defect liability period, 10 projects currently under construction and two in the pre-implementation phase.
“In Sarawak, 10 projects have been planned, with two completed and also in the defect liability period. Two projects are under construction while six are in the pre-implementation phase,” he said.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid chaired the National Disaster Management High-Level Committee (HLC) Meeting No. 1 of 2025 at the Federal Secretary’s Office in the Sabah Federal Government Administration Complex.
He said the meeting approved the construction of a Permanent Disaster Evacuation Centre (PPKB) in Long Busang, Belaga district, Sarawak.
The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will also collaborate with the Education Ministry (KPM) to establish additional PPKBs in other areas. So far, only one PPKB has been built in Johor, at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Taman Kota Jaya, Kota Tinggi.
“To facilitate the disbursement of Compassionate Cash Aid (BWI) to disaster victims, Nadma will collaborate with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to prevent leakages in fund distribution,” he said.
He also responded to the request from the Sabah and Sarawak Governments for aid to be given to flood victims who did not move to Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) even though their areas were flooded, saying some arrangements will be made to confirm that they are truly flood victims who have been affected by the Northeast Monsoon season.
“We will get confirmation from the District Disaster Committee and we will make modifications to this matter,” he said.
For long-term mitigation plans, he said Nadma and DID will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest technologies in disaster management and risk reduction.
Ahmad Zahid said based on reports, two major flood episodes have occurred in Sabah since January 2025. The first took place from Jan 17 to 20, affecting three districts, while the second occurred from Jan 27 to Feb 16, affecting 14 districts. A total of 3,120 heads of households (KIR) involving 9,735 victims were relocated to 68 PPS.
The floods also caused damage to several public infrastructures, including suspension bridges in Kota Marudu and Pitas.
In Sarawak, Ahmad Zahid said the highest recorded rainfall average for Northeast Monsoon (MTL) 2024/2025 reached 900mm compared to the usual average of 450mm. A total of 5,012 KIR involving 16,670 victims sought shelter in 85 PPS, while 32,901 affected families did not move to evacuation centres.
In Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, 60 KIR involving 209 victims are still taking shelter at Dewan Kampung Sukan Petronas while temporary housing areas are identified for them.
Sarawak also estimates that approximately 1,335 public infrastructure projects have been damaged and require urgent repairs due to flooding.
Ahmad Zahid said the HLC meeting also noted the need for improvements in financial support, manpower, logistics and the rental of vehicles by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to deliver essential goods to PPS.
“The Government also expressed gratitude to corporate companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Malaysians who helped flood victims throughout the MTL 2024/2025 period.
“The Federal Government, through Nadma, will refine all proposed improvements submitted by agencies through JPBN to enhance the effectiveness of the national disaster management mechanism based on Nadma Directive No. 1,” he said.