THE Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) has officially handed over a completed RM10.351 million drainage upgrade project to the Melaka state government, in a move aimed at strengthening flood mitigation efforts in the historic city.
The Project to Upgrade the Drainage System to Address Flash Flooding in Melaka City Phase 2 (Package 2A) was fully completed on 19 March 2026 and formally handed over during the national-level World Water Day 2026 celebrations held at Pantai Tanjung Bidara, Masjid Tanah.
The project is designed to resolve recurring flash flood issues at three key locations within the jurisdiction of the Melaka Historic City Council, namely Kampung Enam and Kampung Tujuh, Jalan Tamby Abdullah to Jalan Parameswara, and the Taman Merak Mas to Kampung Tebing Tinggi area in Bukit Katil.
Its scope of works includes the construction of a pumping station as well as associated civil, structural, mechanical and electrical works, local automation systems, and provisional components.
PETRA said the initiative forms part of a broader federal commitment to strengthen water infrastructure in Melaka, with 21 water-related projects approved under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans valued at RM3.1 billion. For the First Rolling Plan of 2026 alone, an allocation of RM274 million has been set aside.
The handover took place in conjunction with the national World Water Day 2026 celebrations, co-organised by PETRA and the Melaka state government, which ran from 24 to 25 April at Pantai Tanjung Bidara on Saturday.
The event was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister II and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and attended by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh.
World Water Day, observed globally since its declaration at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), serves as an international platform to raise awareness on sustainable water management.
This year’s Malaysian theme, “Air Milik Semua” or “Water Belongs to All”, emphasised inclusive and holistic water governance.
The national event drew more than 5,000 visitors and included the launch of the National Water Policy, which provides strategic direction, principles and a framework supporting the Water Transformation Roadmap 2040 (AIR 2040), alongside recognition awards for stakeholders in the water sector.
PETRA described the celebration as a national advocacy movement uniting government agencies, the private sector, academia and local communities in safeguarding the country’s water resources.
In line with the Malaysia MADANI framework, the ministry stressed that sustained cross-sector cooperation is essential to ensure effective implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
It added that public awareness initiatives such as World Water Day play a critical role in driving collective responsibility to ensure the sustainability of clean water resources for current and future generations. - April 25, 2026
