PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has agreed to channel special provisions for temporary mitigation in Penampang, Sabah.

This was revealed by Penampang member of parliament (MP) Datuk Ewon Benedick after he attended the Federal Cabinet Meeting here.

The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said he had proposed several things. Among them, the integrated river basin development project of Sungai Moyog with an estimated cost of RM500 million to be included in the distribution of flood mitigation allocations beginning this year.

"I also suggest that a number of special disaster allocations be channelled by the Federal Government to maintain and repair ditches, creeks and rivers in Penampang that are blocked and are among the causes of overflow and flood water reservoirs," he said in a media statement after the federal cabinet meeting, today.

Ewon also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his colleagues in the Cabinet who were concerned and equally committed to expediting flood mitigation projects throughout the country.

"Thank you also to the Deputy Prime Minister I (Ahmad Zahid) who presided over the national disaster action and approved special allocations to maintain ditches, creeks and rivers in Penampang that are blocked to be implemented.

"This is a mitigation measure pending the actual implementation of the Sungai Moyog integrated river basin project," said Ewon.

Tomorrow, Ewon is expected to be in the field inspecting some "blockages" of Sungai Moyog which are among the causes of overflowing floods.

"I will continue to take 'leadership' in an effort to reduce the incidence of flood disasters in Penampang.

"I hope to get the support and cooperation of all parties. I will continue to work hard," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/880963/dpm-agrees-special-allocation-temporary-flood-mitigation-penampang-says