Govt seeking long-term solutions to flood problem - PM

TEMERLOH: The government is focusing on seeking comprehensive long-term solutions to the flood problem to reduce risks and the number of affected locations in future disasters, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The prime minister said this would be the main agenda of the National Disaster Management Committee once the post-flood operations were completed, and it would involve state governments, government ministries and agencies, as well as experts in related fields.

"We will seek out and discuss whatever modules that are suitable to resolve this problem, and if it cannot be implemented simultaneously throughout the country, focus will be given to districts or areas at high risk of flooding.

"A long-term plan involves huge costs but it helps to reduce the costs incurred by the government each time it floods. So far, we have spent RM1.4 billion on aid alone and this amount is expected to increase because we have not yet received the full report on damage," he said.

Ismail Sabri said this at a media conference after presenting aid under the Keluarga Malaysia Flood Relief Mission, comprising compassionate aid of RM1,000 from the federal government and RM500 from the Pahang government, and necessities to 600 heads of households affected by floods at Dewan MPT Dataran Datuk Bahaman in Lanchang here today.

Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Pahang state secretary Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak and state Tourism, Culture, Environment, Plantation and Commodities Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin.