Malaysia: Certain areas may be submerged by 2100

The Star 29 Mar 16;

SEVERAL coastal areas along Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak may be slightly submerged by the year 2100, the Dewan Rakyat heard.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was based on projection studies conducted six years ago.

“The highest increase of sea level (in Peninsular Malaysia) is expected to be at the Kedah beach (0.52m), followed by Kelantan (0.47m).

“In Sarawak, it is expected to be recorded at Miri beach (0.59m) and in Sabah, Tawau beach (1.06m),” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (BN-Tanah Merah).

Dr Wan Junaidi said the ministry had taken several measures including building structural barriers such as groyne wave breakers and rock revetment to protect the coastal areas.

“We also will continue to plant mangrove trees, carry out beach nourishment, and counsel local authorities and developers so that the ground level of proposed future developments has to be well above sea level,” Dr Wan Junaidi said yesterday.