‘Listen to locals, have willpower and commitment to find solutions to flooding in Kelantan’

As floods continue to hit several areas on the east coast of Malaysia, convoys of four-wheel-drive vehicles and volunteers continue to leave the federal capital to assist in relief works in those states.

In recent weeks, ministries, agencies, and non-governmental organisations have been deploying flood relief to aid flood victims. Corporate Malaysia too, has been playing a bigger role, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call earlier this month for the private sector to join forces in supporting flood victims across the country.

While post-flood relief efforts are important, questions are constantly being asked about how long people must continue to face the wrath of flooding – from displaced lives and livelihoods, to ruined property and personal belongings, to damaged crops.

Are our flood mitigation systems insufficient, or are such efforts pointless despite billions being allocated and spent to solve this annual problem?

This year, unprecedented rainfall at the tail end of November triggered severe floods across Kelantan and Terengganu. The authorities reported that more than six months’ worth of average rain fell in just five days, resulting in massive flooding across both states. The situation this year was described by the authorities as the worst in decades.

Malay Contractors Association Malaysia president Datuk Mohd Rosdi Ab Aziz said there seems to be no end to this annual problem.

“I am perplexed. We see, hear, and experience the same thing every year. This has been going on for decades, yet there seems to be no end to it,” said Mohd Rosdi.

A native of Tumpat, Kelantan, Mohd Rosdi was back in his home state earlier this month, representing his association, offering aid to people in several districts.

“I was in Tumpat, Pasir Mas, and Rantau Panjang. The situation was worse than the one in 2014. Houses were submerged, and property and belongings were damaged.”

The 2014 floods in Kelantan were the largest recorded in the state’s history. It was also considered a disaster on the “scale of a tsunami”, with 202,000 victims displaced.

Mohd Rosdi said every year, the people in his state go through the same ordeal, so much so that they are forced to accept it as a given.

“Flooding has been a problem for such a long time, and there seems to be no end to it,” he said.

“What is required is for the government to be more focused on dealing with the root causes of the floods.

“Damage and losses suffered by the people in the last 10 years have reached billions of ringgit.”

Mohd Rosdi said flood mitigation plans must be a priority, as the government would save more in the long run, instead of paying for the damage and repairs every time floods occur.

“If you look at Kampung Bendang Pok Yong and the surrounding areas in Tumpat, and if we talk to the villagers there, all they need is for the authorities to build a bridge to enable floodwaters to flow out.

“What they have now are just small culverts, but that’s not enough to address the problem.”

“Water becomes clogged in the village, sometimes for up to a week, as there is no way for the water to flow out.”

Mohd Rosdi said his association had previously spoken to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who had signed off on a RM10 million allocation to build a bridge and gate to prevent seawater from entering, and also to create a channel for water to flow out of the village.

“But the Works Department later said it was a waste of funds and there was no need to proceed with the project. We are talking about a problem with no solution in sight.

“This time around, villagers in six villages suffered total loss. Their houses were completely submerged. Previously, their vehicles could still be saved by moving them to higher ground.”

“Those affected by the floods will only get around RM1,000. That’s not enough to cover their losses – electrical appliances and furniture and other property. People come with food aid, but who replaces the other damaged items?”

“NGOs bring food baskets, and that’s it. I’ve been seeing this ever since I was young, and it keeps on happening,” he said.

Asked about the assistance provided by the state government, Mohd Rosdi replied: “As usual, they see what’s going on, and once the floodwaters recede, they give out blankets and food aid.”

Mohd Rosdi said the government spends millions of ringgit to prepare relief centres, personnel, and food supplies in anticipation of the floods.

“Then they spend more to give out aid and repair roads when the floods end. Billions are spent on Kelantan every year.”

“All the schools in Tumpat this year were turned into flood relief centres – 37 schools in total. Each school housed around 300-400 people; imagine how much was spent.”

“Can’t we focus on finding a solution? It’s not about making people feel happy when they are at their lowest. We need to plan for the future so the people do not have to endure misery every year.”

On Dec 3, Anwar said in Parliament that flood mitigation projects in Kelantan were ongoing.

He said Phase 1, covering Tumpat and part of Pasir Mas, was now at 70 per cent, and is expected to be completed by early 2026. Phase 2, covering Rantau Panjang and part of Pasir Mas, is being expedited, while Phase 3, covering Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, and Jeli, is now at four per cent.

Anwar had also said that the Sungai Kelantan flood mitigation and river management project is almost finished – Phase 1, covering Kota Baru, Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Machang, and Kuala Krai, is 98 per cent complete, while Phase 2, covering Kota Baru, just began this year and is now at four per cent.

Mohd Rosdi said he is prepared to sit down with the government and agencies like the National Disaster Management Agency to find long-term solutions.

“Heavy rain and water from Sungai Golok are factors that contribute to the flooding. But I believe there is a solution. We need to speak to locals to learn the real problems and the type of solutions required.

“All we need now is willpower and commitment.”

Main image: Floods hit several areas in Kelantan, including Tanah Merah on Dec 29, 2024. Image by Kelantan Civil Defence Department.