Malaysia has earmarked MYR 20 billion (USD 4.6 billion) for flood mitigation and cross-border infrastructure projects as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) covering 2026–2030. Around 103 flood mitigation projects will be implemented to reduce disaster risks and impacts across the nation.
Key flood mitigation initiatives include flood-prone areas such as Langat River and Buloh River in Selangor state, Golok River in Kelantan state, Gemencheh River in Negeri Sembilan state, Baru River in Melaka state, the Johor River and Muar River basins in Johor state, Pahang River Basin, and Kuching city in Sarawak state. In addition to physical infrastructure, Malaysia plans to enhance early warning systems through Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology, enabling communities to better prepare for and respond to disasters. In 2024, Malaysia suffered flood-related damages totaling MYR 933.4 million (USD 214 million), a 23% increase from the previous year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The government also emphasized cross-border connectivity, with upgrades planned for Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complexes at Bukit Kayu Hitam and Rantau Panjang, as well as Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities in Sabah and Sarawak. The Rantau Panjang–Sungai Golok bridge, linking Malaysia with Thailand, is another strategic project designed to strengthen trade and mobility. Other infrastructure initiatives include the modernization of the Perlis Land Port to boost trade with Thailand, improvements to border road networks connecting Sabah and Sarawak with Kalimantan, Indonesia, and development of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Malaysia and Singapore. These measures aim to enhance economic growth, facilitate regional connectivity, and bolster Malaysia’s disaster resilience.
(Sources: Malay Mail; New Straits Times)
