Malaysian's ability to name our capital has proven precise. During a recent monsoon season, photos taken from above revealed a Kuala Lumpur, which means the "muddy river confluence" in Malay, submerged in filthy sludge waters, with floating cars scattered around. However unsightly, floods are unarguably the most prevalent natural disaster, to which we have sadly become accustomed in Malaysia.

Other states like Kelantan, Penang, Sabah and Pahang are no strangers to floods. Despite our abundance of water, the frequent rain pour has caused floods in many areas. In November 2017, the flood in Penang has affected more than 1500 households, with its water level risen to more than 3 meters high in some areas of the island. Such severe occurrence was by no means an exception. In 1971, we lost 32 people to floods, which also affected 180,000 people in Kuala Lumpur.

We are familiar with floods due to heavy rain pour during monsoon seasons, deforestation, the lack of capacity of anti-flood facilities like deepened and widened storm drain networks and ongoing infrastructural development leading to the change of landscape, on top of the effect of global warming which has led to rising water levels. What can be more disastrous than the floods are often the effects of floods. Floods can cause death, the loss of precious lives. Besides productivity loss, we also struggle with post-flood immediate disruption to food security and clean water supply, shortages of electricity and humanitarian issues. Some flood victims reported that they swim home to check on their items at home every day to prevent them from being stolen. In early 2015, a serious flood has occurred in Malaysia, subsequently decreasing agricultural production, leading to a rise in the price of palm oil and rubber. Such phenomenon threatens the GDP and the economic stability of our country.

I must give Malaysia and our government credits for having taken important steps to help flood-prone areas. Since the shockingly disastrous flood in 1971, the responsibility of flood mitigation and hydrology was included in the duties of Department of Irrigation and Drainage of Malaysia (DID), followed by the addition of coastal engineering (1986) and the River Engineering Division (1990). DID has been under the leadership of the Malaysian Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, which in January 2017 had announced its plan to invest some RM 495 million in the upcoming 69 Flood Mitigation Plan projects to help areas particularly vulnerable to floods around the country.

The Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (SMART) was opened since 2007 as the longest multi-purpose tunnel globally. With a holistic and well-planned network, SMART acts as a motorway that switches into water tunnels to divert excessive floodwaters and act as a temporary reservoir to mitigate floods in Kuala Lumpur. This system has been listed as Top 10 Greatest Tunnels in the world by CNN and has received UN Habitat Scroll of Honor Award in 2011.

Such governmental effort and implementations are effective in galvanizing other agencies to begin their work on reducing the risks of floods. But more should be done. First and foremost, we must establish a well-rounded evacuation plan and forecast systems to allow people ample time to escape flood-prone regions and encourage farmers to harvest earlier or relocate their livestock. Besides, it is essential to regularly unclog drains to prevent flash floods. More river engineering projects should be overseen to deepen and widen the rivers in Malaysia. Furthermore, in every state, infrastructural development must fit safety requirements and regulations before being approved by urban planners and engineers to check if they can potentially cause floods. The prototypes of Microhouse that was showcased during World Urban Forum 2018 in Kuala Lumpur can be installed with anti-flood features like retractable legs and wheels to allow mobility during floods. Illegal logging in natural reserves must be stopped. More temporary shelter centres at higher grounds should be set up to allocate the victims. Hospitals must also provide immediate medical relief workforce who are prepared with emergency disaster training. As civilians, we can help flood victims by donating essential supplies like long-lasting packed food and clean water via suitable agencies. During the Penang flood in 2017, NGOs like Food Aid Foundation had collaborated with the Penang Chef Association to provide the flood victims with box lunches and dinners, with the help of many volunteers. More critically, after the waters recede, we must also evaluate the overall damages of floods on our economy, infrastructures and families carefully, while providing the victims with affordable housing options in safe areas and with the means to encourage them to return to workforce after recovery.

I would like to urge all Malaysians to stay safe during floods. We must note that it is often the people from the lower socioeconomic classes that are most affected. We must provide them with more help. Government must form a reliable alliance network with NGOs and relief groups to develop a sustainable, interdisciplinary approach to tackling floods for the ultimate safety of our fellow Malaysians. If the worst comes, I hope we can at least learn to swim.