Govt to set up geological disaster expert team: Takiyuddin

YAN – The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry plans to set up a team of experts, comprising various relevant departments and agencies, to study and assess the risk of geological disasters in the country, said its minister, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

He said the move was to combine the roles of the experts so that more integrated actions could be taken to deal with landslide and debris flow incidents.

He added that among the agencies or departments to be involved are the Minerals and Geosciences Department, the Survey and Mapping Department, the Peninsular Forestry Department, and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, which are under his ministry.

“Departments in other ministries include the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Public Works Department, and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department,” he said in a press conference, after inspecting the location of the Gunung Jerai landslide and debris flow here today.

He said that the proposal would then be refined at his ministry’s level before being tabled to the cabinet for approval, and that the team may also involve experts from abroad, especially countries experienced in dealing with geological disasters, to help find the best solutions.

Takiyuddin also gave his assurance that his ministry would take appropriate action to ensure that the Gunung Jerai permanent forest reserve area, which is classified as a protected water catchment area, is not affected by any geological disaster.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general of the Environment and Water Ministry, Datuk Seri Zaini Ujang, said the water surge incident in Yan on August 18 may recur if steps are not taken.

Apart from the construction of a dam, he said, residents should also regularly clean drains in their residential areas to ensure waterways are not blocked.

He said natural dams such as large trees and rocks that had been blocking the flow of rainwater had been destroyed, causing the second flood to occur on Thursday.

Zaini added that the sabo dam to be built in the area is widely used in Japan to ensure fallen trees and large rocks do not flow downstream when water gushes, and is expected to be completed this December.

The construction of the first phase of the dam, costing RM20 million, is part of a RM75 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his visit to Kedah on August 23, to help the Kedah government repair damaged public facilities and infrastructure in Yan and Merbok. – Bernama, September 4, 2021