KUALA LUMPUR: The Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) are developing the Malaysia Dam Safety Management Guidelines (MyDam) to provide technical guidance for dam inspection, said Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (pic).
He said the guidelines were to ensure standardised instructions for dam inspection and maintenance that guaranteed that the dams did not fail and to take proactive action for the 104 dams available, including the Sg Merah Dam in Perak which was the oldest dam built in 1906.
"It is our hope that these guidelines will be fully utilised by asset managers and the ministry is working towards making this guideline a mandatory requirement in the near future," he said in his speech during the Water Malaysia 2023 Specialised Conference and Exhibition, here on Wednesday (June 14).
He added that each sector and individual should work together to maintain the infrastructural assets as water and sewerage assets were crucial both as a public service as well as for nation-building.
"Hence, it is the duty of these assets’ custodians to provide the necessary maintenance and care as part and parcel of their environment and social governance (ESG) commitment in order to minimise the risk of structural failure and help ensure safety of the public," he said.
Nik Nazmi further said a change of mindset was needed where a sense of custodianship and an understanding of the impact of all actions taken as well as the responsibilities of the private sector, individuals and the government.
Meanwhile, the Water Malaysia 2023 Specialised Conference and Exhibition was a platform for engagement and interaction among water policymakers, implementers and operators, water industry players, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as consumers.
The event was organised by the Malaysian Water Association and Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd and themed 'Strategic Asset Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities' to focus on managing critical and ageing assets. - Bernama
