Malaysia Environmental Technology Flood Management Opportunities

In 2021, Malaysia experienced one of the worst flooding that resulted in a loss of USD 1.4 billion, which claimed 54 lives and affected more than 300,000 families. Environmental experts estimated that Malaysia’s absolute volume of rainfall has increased by 15 percent in the last 40 years.

As a matter of public interest, politicians from all parties have pushed for measures for urgent discussion, such as declaring a national climate emergency, reducing bureaucracy in aid distribution, and bipartisanship in the district disaster management committees to ensure effective aid.  The government has also announced implementing a Flood Mitigation Plan worth USD 3.3 billion until 2030 as a long-term strategy to adapt to the country’s climate change.

Some Malaysian states like Selangor have united all the agencies involved in water management through the Water Resources Assurance Scheme (WARAS) initiative to overcome flooding.  The main flood issue identified was how to drain floodwater from Kuala Lumpur and high places directly to the sea or reservoirs and to deepen the depth of some rivers, especially in shallow areas.  The agency also expanded its scope to include all water-related issues, such as droughts and pollution.

Due to the crisis, prospects for U.S. companies in Malaysia include upgrading weather forecasts and early warning systems connected to weather stations and research institutes.  The Malaysian government is also looking for solutions for infrastructure development.  Those developments can include flood risk mitigation, enhanced drainage systems, and retention pond construction.  Opportunities are also present in managing stormwater and waste resulting from floods.
If you represent a U.S. company in the flood management sector keen to explore opportunities in Malaysia, please contact Senior Commercial Specialist Siau Wei Pung at office.kualalumpur@trade.gov.