IT’S almost 2026, but the problem of severe flooding still exists in our country! This clearly reveals the government’s failure to protect the people and address the root cause of flooding, which is the strongly pro-corporate nature of our political system.
There are two aspects to this root cause, namely:
The interests of developers and corporations are given more importance than the protection of natural resources
There are many cases where state governments allow developers and GLCs to carry out development or plantation projects on natural water catchment areas, especially forests. This damages the soil’s ability to absorb excess water during heavy rains, resulting in flooding.
There are also many development projects near rivers where sand from the worksite falls into and accumulates at the riverbed. This reduces the river’s depth, and during heavy rains, the excess water will overflow, causing flash floods in the surrounding areas.
Most of these projects are highly likely to involve bribery between the developers and certain state government leaders to obtain approval for said projects. If GLCs are involved, there is an element of cronyism and the opportunity to generate high profits for certain politicians. In addition, the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) studies are usually carried out by companies that are hired by and biased towards the developers.
Insufficient funds for way more flood mitigation projects
Given the seriousness of the annual flooding problem plaguing our country, far more flood mitigation and prevention projects need to be implemented as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the government does not have sufficient funds due to the neoliberal capitalist nature of our political system, whereby corporate taxes are low, and there is no wealth tax because the government caters too much towards the interests and greed of the corporate, foreign investor and T20 classes.
Steps that must be taken immediately
The federal government must press and work with each state to establish independent committees to strictly monitor and control any changes in state land status, especially in forests and water catchment areas. This is to ensure that such areas are protected from any development projects.
Only the DOE (Department of Environment) should be allowed to select and pay companies to conduct EIAs, instead of developers. Developers should pay the DOE depending on the project type and size to cover the cost of the EIA.
The federal government must pressure each state government to ban all new development and plantation projects in natural water catchment areas and near rivers. Such projects that have just begun should be stopped.
Many more reservoirs should be built near areas that are prone to severe flooding and are at high risk of flooding throughout the country.
Desilting operations should be carried out in major rivers in each state, especially those near development projects.
The drainage and sewer systems throughout Malaysia should be reviewed, and those that are too narrow and shallow should be redesigned to be wider and deeper. Local governments should clear clogged drains more frequently.
If funding constraints are the main obstacle to flood mitigation projects such as steps 4-6, the government should urge other ASEAN countries to collectively increase their corporate taxes, as well as impose a wealth tax. This is the best solution to generate more funds instead of burdening ordinary citizens, and it will prevent the flight of foreign investors from Malaysia to other ASEAN countries. – December 9, 2025
Raveen Jeyakumar is a writer who’s passionate about social and environmental issues