On the ground: Ahmad Zahid speaking at the opening ceremony of the Halal On Track @ Pahang programme. — Bernama
KUANTAN: Coastal erosion control projects must be implemented immediately or costs of up to RM1 trillion will be incurred, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said it is crucial to initiate these projects early not just to reduce risks and the impact of disasters but also for cost-saving measures and to keep project costs at projected figures.
“The implementation of these projects cannot be taken lightly as the world is facing climate change and global warming,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) projections for 2050, small islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans would be below sea level.
“This means that coastal areas on both the west and east coasts of the peninsula as well as coastal areas in Sabah and Sarawak will experience erosion.
“The estimation is that if nothing is done now, we will have to spend no less than RM1 trillion in 2050,” he said at a press conference after launching the Halal On Track @ Pahang programme.
Ahmad Zahid, who is the national disaster management committee chairman, was asked about the RM600mil allocation for the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for flood preparations announced during Budget 2025.
The government has already allocated RM300mil in case of any disaster at any time.
Ahmad Zahid said his team is coordinating with the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry on flood mitigation projects under the Irrigation and Drainage Department and the flood-prone areas listed.
Additionally, he said the government has also allocated funds for the construction of permanent evacuation centres equipped with all basic facilities to replace schools and community halls.
On another matter, the Deputy Prime Minister said the additional 100 halal auditors for the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) under Budget 2025 would help expedite and further streamline the halal certification process to meet both domestic and international demand.
He said Jakim is collaborating with five institutes of higher education to train halal auditors, who will also serve as officers to ensure halal standards.
They will be placed in companies that already have halal certification to ensure compliance with the set standards, Bernama reported.
“This will create opportunities for those from maahad tahfiz, diploma holders or graduates who have taken this course to work in these companies, especially those exporting products abroad.
“This is to ensure there is no compromise on the ‘halalan tayyiban’ standards set by Jakim,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Malaysian Halal Council chairman.
