RM150 mln flood forecast, warning system being developed for East Coast states
KOTA BHARU: The Flood Forecast and Warning System being developed for Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang at a cost of RM150 million is expected to be ready by the end of 2017.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the system could give a flood forecast two to seven days before the flood occurred at an area.
“When fully completed by the end of 2017, it will give early information to the National Security Council ( MKN) which will then disseminate the information to the rescue agencies in facing floods.
“This system is being developed after the massive floods in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang in ( late) 2014,” he said after attending the Strategic Cooperation Programme for department and agency heads under the ministry together with federal government leaders from Kelantan.
Among the 200 attendees were Federal Action Council, Kelantan chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, and Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri.
Wan Junaidi said his ministry would extend the system to Johor, Melaka, Kedah, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak involving an additional cost of RM400 million.
He said the system would be built in stages in the states involved after it had been completed in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. On the timber certification by the Kelantan Forest Management Unit under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, which was withdrawn on Nov 23 as the setting up of forest plantations did not meet the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Forest Management Certification ( Natural Forest), Wan Junaidi said it (withdrawal) would have a negative impact on the timber produced by the state.
“Without certification, the timber produced by Kelantan will not command a high value and will not be accepted by developed countries like Australia, the United States, Japan and European countries but will only end up at the construction sites in Saudi Arabia and China,” he said. — Bernama