Rise in sea level by 2100 based on international studies — Wan Junaidi
THE PHENOMENON of rising sea level that may submerge coastal areas is not mere speculation but based on international studies, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said scientific studies conducted in 2010 found that the sea level off peninsular Malaysia would rise by 2100.
“A study by the National Hydraulic Research Institute shows that the rise in sea level along the coastline by 2020 will be insignificant,” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Ikmal Abdul Aziz ( BN-Tanah Merah).
Ikmal had asked about speculation that some areas along the coast might disappear due to rising sea level by 2020.
The highest sea level rise in the peninsular was expected to occur off Kedah ( 0.52 metres) followed by Kelantan ( 0.47 metres).
Sarawak ( Miri) was forecast to witness a rise of 0.59 metres and Sabah ( Tawau), a rise of 1.06 metres.
Wan Junaidi said the ministry had taken various measures of protection by putting up groyne wave breakers and rock revetments.
“The non- structure measures include mangrove replanting, beach reclamation and advising local authorities and project developers to avoid the coastline,” he added. — Bernama