KUANTAN, Oct 19 — The government will incur costs of up to RM1 trillion if coastal erosion mitigation projects are not implemented immediately, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said it is crucial to initiate these projects early to reduce the risks and impact of disasters, as well as to save on expenses.
This situation cannot be taken lightly due to climate change and global warming, along with projections from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2050, said Zahid, who is also Central Disaster Management Committee chairman.
“Based on SDG projections for 2050, small islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean will be below sea level. This means coastal areas on both the west and east coasts of the peninsula, as well as coastal areas in Sabah and Sarawak, will be eroded.
“In 2050, the estimate is that if nothing is done now, we will have to spend no less than RM1 trillion,” he said at a press conference after launching the Halal On Track@Pahang event here today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Zahid was asked to comment on the RM600 million allocation given to the National Disaster Management Agency for flood preparedness, which was announced during the Budget 2025 presentation by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
This includes the more than RM300 million already allocated for disaster preparations.
Zahid said his team is coordinating actions with the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, with flood mitigation projects under the Irrigation and Drainage Department to be carried out in at-risk areas.
He added that the government has allocated funds to build permanent evacuation centres equipped with basic facilities, to replace temporary relief centres at schools and community halls.
— Bernama
