The federal government will implement several measures, including the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to mitigate floods, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“For long-term disaster mitigation, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage will implement comprehensive mitigation plans.

“This includes the use of AI and the latest technology to improve disaster management and risk reduction.

“Nadma continuously collaborates with the Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Department of Minerals and Geology and other agencies.

“We urge those in identified high-risk areas to strictly follow evacuation instructions when the early warning system is activated.

“This will ensure that evacuations are carried out earlier, reducing risks to flood victims,” he said after visiting the Lido Flood Mitigation project here yesteday.

Earlier, he chaired the first High-Level Committee Meeting on National Disaster Management for this year at the Federal Secretary’s Office in Sabah here.

To address the recurring flood problem, Zahid, who heads the Central Disaster Management Committee, said the Drainage and Irrigation Department was implementing 14 flood mitigation projects in Sabah, while 10 were planned for Sarawak.

“The meeting also approved the construction of a permanent disaster evacuation centre (PPKB) in Long Busang, Belaga, Sarawak.

“For PPKB development in other areas, Nadma will collaborate with the Education Ministry.

“Currently, only one PPKB has been established at Dewan Serbaguna Taman Kota Jaya, Kota Tinggi in Johor.”

Zahid added that Nadma would work with Bank Simpanan Nasional to facilitate the disbursement of aid to disaster victims.

This year, in Sabah, 9,735 victims were relocated to 68 temporary evacuation centres due to floods.

In Sarawak, over 37,000 households were affected by floods.

On politics, Zahid, who is Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the coalition aimed to pursue alliances both before and after the Sabah election.

He said BN’s openness to discussions with all political parties highlights the coalition’s flexibility in striving for political stability in Sabah.

“We should never stop negotiating and engaging with political leaders for the betterment of Sabah.

“This means we are highly flexible in holding negotiations with any party to ensure that this coalition succeeds in achieving political stability, especially in Sabah.

“As for discussions on cooperation, they will take place both before and after the Sabah election,” he said.

However, Zahid declined to confirm whether any official discussions had taken place with any political party in Sabah.