Borneo Post 28 Jun 16;
MELAKA: Twenty per cent of lowland areas especially in coastal areas in several states, are expected to flood due to rising sea levels caused by global warming, if not handled properly.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said scientific studies conducted by the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) also expects the areas to be flooded between 1.5 feet to three feet.
“This catastrophe is expected to occur in the next 100 years with most of the low-lying areas flooded, causing massive destruction with millions of people left homeless.
“This rise in sea level is the result of melting ice, which then flows into the sea causing it to rise,” he told reporters after opening the 16th Melaka International Youth Dialogue” here, yesterday.
There was also a dialogue session entitled ‘Youth for Environmental Sustainability: Our Future, Our Care’ organised by the
World Assembly of Youth (WAY), which was attended by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron, who is also president of WAY.
He said among the states expected to experience this rise in water level are Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang.
Wan Junaidi said the government was collecting data and information on the results of the study by NAHRIM on environmental issues, among them rising sea levels and temperatures, which can cause disasters or catastrophes.
“Scientific research will also be conducted and the results will be tabled at three important levels, namely the National Physical Planning Council, which will monitor the development in sea reclamation areas and determine at what stage the reclamation can be done.
“The Land Council will be informed and subsequently a meeting will be held with the prime minister, the chief ministers and menteris besar.”
He said NAHRIM together with the Drainage and Irrigation Department has also been instructed to locate and carry out a study on quality of mineral water found underground. — Bernama
