Malaysia Strengthens Eco-friendly Drainage Management, Safe Cities To Face Climate Change

Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the approach is supported by advanced data analytics, predictive modelling, artificial intelligence (AI), and other digital technologies to improve decision-making and strengthen urban preparedness for future challenges.

"These technological capabilities can assist us in making better decisions and strengthen our cities to face an increasingly unpredictable future.

"Resilience in stormwater management also requires a holistic approach involving all stakeholders, particularly the government, industry and the community," he said.

He said this when representing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof at the launch of the National Conference on Stormwater Management (SWaM) 2026 here today.

Abdul Rahman said the four-day conference, which began yesterday, serves as a national platform for policymakers, government and private agencies, industry leaders, academics and communities to explore integrated solutions to challenges related to stormwater management and urban development.

He said building more resilient cities requires active participation of all sectors, including engineers, local authorities, government agencies, researchers, academics, developers and industry players.

"The ideas shared, collaborations forged, and commitments made throughout this conference will contribute towards strengthening Malaysia's stormwater management and enhancing our preparedness for future challenges," he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) Director-General Datuk Ir Mohamad Radzi Abdul Talib said the department is continuously updating its technical standards and institutional capabilities to address the challenges posed by climate change and rapid urban development.

"We are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Urban Stormwater Management Manual (MSMA).

"This third edition of the MSMA reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that effective stormwater management begins from the earliest stages of land development.

"Moving forward, digital innovations, including AI, Digital Twins, real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, will enable us to make smarter and more informed decisions," he said.

Mohamad Radzi said DID is also pursuing its long-term planning initiatives through the Eco-Friendly Drainage Master Plan (PISMA), with 38 PISMA studies completed and another five currently underway to strengthen planning and investment for urban areas nationwide.

The fifth edition of SWaM, themed "Inspired by Nature, Engineered for Resilience", is organised by DID and the Malaysian Stormwater Organisation (MSO), with the River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC) and The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) serving as co-organisers.

It brought together nearly 400 participants from government agencies, local authorities, professional bodies, academia and industry to facilitate knowledge-sharing, professional networking and innovation in stormwater management.

The event also featured the presentation of the inaugural Malaysia Stormwater Awards 2026 to former DID Deputy Director-General Datuk Ir Ahmad Fuad Embi, who received a plaque and certificate in recognition of his contributions.

-- BERNAMA