RECURRING FLOODS DISRUPT SOCIO-ECONOMIC STABILITY, RESIDENTS CALL FOR SWIFT MITIGATION

PASIR MAS, April 20 (Bernama) -- Residents and traders in Rantau Panjang have expressed hope that the flood mitigation project in the area will be expedited, as the risk of recurring annual floods continues to disrupt local socio-economic stability.

Mohd Aiman Muhamad Yusof, 22, from Kampung Cabang Bagus, said the project should be a priority at both the state and federal levels, especially in the context of climate resilience and disaster management.

“This area is affected almost every year during the monsoon season. A long-term solution such as a flood mitigation project is urgently needed to minimise damage to public assets and private property,” he told Bernama recently.

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He stressed that coordination between federal and state agencies must be prioritised to avoid delays caused by policy differences or political considerations.

“Swift implementation will not only safeguard lives and property, but also reduce the government’s dependency on post-disaster relief funding each year.

“If this project is realised, government spending can be redirected to other sectors with wider development impact,” he said.

Meanwhile, Darul Hisham Mat Noor, 52, from Kampung Gual Mesa, said the project must be guided by long-term risk projections and the area’s development potential.

“We face high water levels three to four times a year. This is no longer an unexpected disaster, but a yearly occurrence that must be addressed systematically,” he said.

He added that ongoing flood risks have eroded investor confidence and pose challenges to long-term development planning in the border town.

For food trader Muhamad Kharimi Arif, floods directly affect business operations in Rantau Panjang town, including the supply of goods, customer turnout and income stability.

“This town is a vital economic hub in Kelantan, especially in the wholesale and retail sectors. Without proper infrastructure like flood mitigation systems, we cannot maximise its economic potential,” he said.

He also hoped the project would not be delayed by technical or administrative issues, warning that any postponement would only prolong the status quo and continue to burden all stakeholders.

On April 12, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government has decided to expedite flood mitigation projects in Kelantan to address the state’s perennial flooding problem.

He said this includes exploring new methods not only to tackle the flood issue but also to resolve water shortages during drought seasons.

-- BERNAMA