KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ongoing flood mitigation projects in highrisk areas.

He said despite the substantial financial implications, the projects would remain a priority alongside the development of essential infrastructure.

“In addition to focusing on basic infrastructure such as roads, highways and utilities, the government is committed to continuing flood mitigation projects in high-risk areas, despite the significant financial impact involved,” he said in his 2025 New Year message aired last night.

Anwar, who is finance minister, said the government remained committed to managing current economic challenges, particularly due to unforeseen events such as floods.

He also said preparedness measures had been carefully planned earlier on to mitigate the impacts of floods in a sustainable manner.

“The current economic challenges must be managed wisely, especially considering unforeseen events such as the severe floods that have recently occurred.

“The Madani government has assured that all efforts will continue across all states to ensure swift delivery of assistance, with recovery and relief efforts promptly undertaken by all federal, state and local government agencies.

“God willing, we will be able to navigate through these challenges and protect more lives from loss or damage to property.”

In 2022, the government announced that it would be implementing its flood mitigation plan worth RM15 billion until 2030 as a long-term strategy in adapting to climate change.

The main projects include “sabo dams” at a cost of RM562 million, involving 46 locations, to reduce the risks of debris and mud floods like the tragedy in Baling, Kedah.

In March 2023, Anwar announced that the government would expedite the flood mitigation projects worth RM600 million or more to avoid a recurrence of flood disasters.

In the Dewan Rakyat last month, he confirmed that ongoing flood mitigation projects, including those on the east coast, were on schedule despite initially getting cancelled in 2022 for retendering.

Anwar said the government has spent close to RM15 billion for flood mitigation projects throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

The Statistics Department last year said total losses due to floods in Malaysia in 2023 amounted to RM800 million, equivalent to 0.04 per cent of the nominal gross domestic product.