CLIMATE change. Yes, there was a dramatic change in the climate where we experienced a tumultuous month in December with unexpected rainfall combined with the predictable monsoon on the east coast. What’s more, its severe weather pattern changed.
Some call it a black swan phenomenon, but flooding of this sort especially in the peninsula’s west coast was last recorded in 1995.
While I will not rule out the science and the effects of climate change, I would call for an integrated approach to soften the effects of flooding.
At present, all parties are unable to clearly draw plans to overcome the flooding woes and ensure that all will be well.
Far from it, the authorities to my knowledge have been planning for a 50-year flood mitigation plan. Given the circumstances at present, perhaps a 100-year flood mitigation plan is due, instead.
Quit the repetitive cycle
The Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) has a 50-year plan in place and with the help of National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia has been simulating the effects of coastal erosion and flooding.
The Economic Planning Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department is well aware of this plan and it is only a matter of political will for it to be executed.
Based on my experience in the civil administration, let me be open and frank, the ministry involved will request, for example, RM10 million for the said plan.
However, it isn’t surprising when the ministry ends up receiving only RM1 million, which is a fraction of the necessary amount.
The issue that often compounds the ability of the civil service to execute projects successfully is the change of priorities.
Instances, where the fund required for flood mitigation is shifted for other projects with the excuse that floods are yearly occurrence and that the people are prepared for its severity often results in the postponement and revised expenditure of the plan itself.
Obviously, we have not learnt our lessons since 1995.
This cycle must be put to a stop immediately. We cannot wait for disasters to happen before trying to make things right.
We must plan now and commence immediately.
Speaking with regards to the Klang Valley, there is the immediate steps needed to be taken by authorities:
- The Klang and Langat rivers must be dredged deeper as it has not been done for the past 30 years.
- The flood mitigation plan Sg Langat Phase 2 must be executed now, which costs an estimated RM500 million, as the planning and design have been ready in the past 10 years.
- Immediate funds to build bunds costing RM20 million.
- To inspect and ensure the full function of all water gates (functionality, screw, pumps and others).
- Stricter enforcement by the DID along riverbanks. There should be no building/construction/ development on the river reserve.
- The construction of kampung houses must be monitored by the local council. Many seem to be able to build a home in a kampung without local council approval. Some are building longhouses for rent at low-lying areas without any proper roads, drainage and sewage planning. When floods hit, these are the areas that will get the worst end of the stick.
- Strengthen the Water Services Industry Act 2006, and empower the federal government to manage and plan future development. Water retention ponds are a must. Laws must be changed to put a stop to pocket development, as developers circumvent the law in terms of land area development.
- All drainage systems flowing out of a housing estate must be regulated to a size which serves as a retention structure to allow release of excess water while the playground can be designed to double up as retention ponds (this has been done in some areas).
- State government has to provide land for water retention ponds or if landowners/developers acquire it.
- The need to obtain weather satellites. Given there are micro satellites available, the country should look into these.
- It also makes sense to calculate Cost Benefit Analysis of these plans as it might happen soon or it may be in the next 20 to 50 years. This means preparing to execute both short-term and long-term plans.
Let’s do it now.
There is plenty more we can do to mitigate the floods not just in the Klang Valley but nationwide. Realistically though, it all comes down to dollars and cents.
Perhaps by reducing our defence budget by 5%, we will be able to direct this funding for river rehabilitation and a 100-year flood mitigation plan.
Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang suffer billions of ringgit in damages each year due to the floods. There is no way out each time but to flood some areas to prevent further destruction.
As such, the state governments must place a caveat on forest activities, with appropriate compensation from the federal government.
This can definitely be achieved using political will. Let’s not fool ourselves and think this is an odd occurrence. Believe me, it is going to happen again.
This will take multi-ministerial involvement and experts to sit and draw from all their knowledge to safeguard the interest of the rakyat.
Climate change and the West’s agenda
Recently, the country concluded its participation during the 2021 United Nations climate change conference with several major decisions made.
Allow me to provide my two cents on the matter.
Asia was dictated to by the West (Europe and the United States). We are being held responsible for climate change and they want us to cut carbon emissions by the period of 2030-2050.
This is obviously for their benefit, because our tropical rainforest is vital and an important source of carbon emission.
It then goes back to who actually destroyed our forests?
The British came here to increase its wealth, and went into agreements with the sultans to create a huge rubber plantation.
Destroying forests along with the habitat, Malaysia became the-then largest producer of rubber. The economy was good but all wealth was transported to Britain.
Yet after independence when we were doing well, the British brought down the rubber prices and destroyed the industry.
We were also the largest supplier of tin, we were strong, and the prices were good.
What happened? The West hoarded and sold stockpiles, which severely plunged its prices.
We were then left with empty mining ponds and lands to deal with. In an effort to generate much needed income, we ventured into the palm oil industry which was lucrative. We had the land volume required for production, and we were the best in terms of production.
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Today, the West continues to not allow us to prosper, often finding ways to suppress the Asian economy. The apparent boycott campaign against palm oil by the European Union is yet another clear example for all to see.
Their agenda is to make sure that our currencies won’t rise enough to challenge them.
So in the disguise of climate change, we are made to obey, or face the consequences of goods being boycotted.
Today, look at how the rubber glove industry is being played out. All went well until we became the largest supplier of rubber gloves with 60% share of the world market.
Now accusations are hurled against our labour practises in the industry, stemming mostly from Western-funded NGOs.
When hidden-agenda probes are initiated, it often results in glove industry players getting sanctioned by the West, affecting the industry and economic chain as a whole.
I can only view this as a plan by the West to suppress Asian development.
By keeping us poor, the West ends up controlling and giving us handouts at their whims and fancies.
The truth is, we do not need them, with China, South Korea, Japan, India, Taiwan and Eastern countries, our economies are big enough to help one another.
What is it that we can’t obtain from our neighbours?
It's the time we stand up and make our voices heard.
We are a developing nation, with the rural population still dependent on government funding. It’s high time Asean works as one, to safeguard our interests.
The rakyat’s welfare comes first, we will find the mechanism, and what is best for us, not the West. If the West wants to work with us, then start treating us with respect and work together to solve problems.
Mother Earth has gone through many trials and more than often manages to come out with new ideas. As such, we should share resources to safeguard humanity, for we have but one home. – The Vibes, January 13, 2022
Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar is Kuala Langat MP and former Water, Land and Natural Resources minister
