SHAH ALAM, Nov 13 — Selangor will expedite approvals for flood mitigation projects, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari when tabling the 2027 Selangor Budget today.
He said this “green lane” should allow authorities to prioritise certain projects.
“I want the Public Works Department (JKR), local authorities, and the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) to prioritise projects that address flood issues, ranging from culverts and drainage systems under the purview of local authorities, to bridges and mitigation works at rivers.
“If a decision involves multiple agencies, the matter must be escalated early to the parties capable of resolving it. Every project must still comply with safety and environmental requirements, as well as procurement procedures,” he told the Selangor State Legislative Assembly today.
Amirudin said early assessments would allow the state to expedite procurement for solutions tailored to actual on-site conditions.
“In Selangor, we can start at the design stage. Before any work is put out to tender, we must evaluate how embankments, retention ponds, and river overflow spaces can function in tandem, as well as their impact on downstream areas,” he said.
Amirudin stressed that the public must be able to track the progress of these works.
“The state government will provide a public dashboard displaying project locations, agencies responsible, and updates on implementation phases, from the appointment of design consultants to the engagement of contractors and the status of on-site progress.
“Before the monsoon season, the government will provide updates on the status of flood-prone areas, detailing relevant projects, appointments made, and the scope of work expected to be completed.
“With this information, residents can gauge the level of protection in their areas ahead of the rainy season and direct inquiries to the agencies responsible,” he added.
Amirudin added that when evaluating any allocation, Selangor must consider costs borne by the people due to delayed action and implementation.
“A flood mitigation project does more than just protect homes and business premises; it also safeguards routes to schools, ensures the continuity of employment, and preserves an area’s capacity to continue attracting investment.
“This is why climate resilience should be a primary consideration in every development and economic decision made by the state,” he said.
Selangor also incurred major losses due to floods, Amirudin said, citing data from the Statistics Department (DOSM) in its Special Report on the Impact of the 2021 Floods.
He said DOSM data showed that for 2025, RM52.9 million in flood-related losses was recorded in Selangor.
“The floods that occurred in late 2021 and early 2022 resulted in losses of about RM3.1 billion, encompassing damage to residences, vehicles, business premises, and manufacturing facilities.
“Klang district recorded losses of about RM1.2 billion, Petaling district RM1.1 billion, and Hulu Langat district RM400 million.
“Losses involving business premises reached RM396.4 million, while the manufacturing sector recorded losses amounting to RM884.5 million.”
To fully understand the impact of such disasters on incomes, Amirudin said it must be determined how long families and businesses take to resume work and operations.
“The people are forced to bear the lingering economic consequences even after the floodwaters recede. Business owners suffer losses from replacing stock, along with lost sales while their shops remain closed.
“Daily-wage workers lose their income when their workplaces cease operations. Meanwhile, factories are impacted by damaged machinery, halted production, and delays in delivering goods to customers,” he said.
Amirudin emphasised that the state government must deftly complete tasks that can mitigate current climate change risks by 2027.
“Through the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2), we must reengineer the state’s operational approach to ensure all new development projects are capable of reducing future climate change risks.
“The government’s pledge to the people must be reflected in how we set priorities when making decisions. In the face of climate change, this pledge requires us to prioritise the most vulnerable areas, explain the rationale behind our decisions, and establish an implementation timeline for the public’s reference.
“Consequently, this budget commits to fulfilling that pledge through two approaches: first, an immediate approach, and second, a long-term approach,” Amirudin said.
