PETRA official Roshana Alma Mohamad Ali stresses that river basin sustainability and IRBM plans must be integrated into development planning to protect water resources.
KUALA LUMPUR: River sustainability must be taken into account from the early stages of development planning to ensure the country’s water resources are protected, flood risks reduced and environmental balance within river basins maintained.
Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA) Water Resources Division secretary Roshana Alma Mohamad Ali said the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) approach was used as a guide for planning and development, taking into account the impact on the entire river basin.
She said IRBM plans covered the short, medium and long term to ensure that development within river basins took into account water flow from higher to lower areas, as well as its impact on surrounding areas.
“What happens to a river affects the entire basin. That is why we develop IRBM plans as short-, medium- and long-term guides for managing, planning and developing river basins,” she said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia programme today, in an episode titled National-Level World Rivers Day 2026 Celebration.
In Sarawak, three IRBM plans for Sungai Sibuti, Batang Saribas and Batang Samarahan basins have been completed to guide the state government in its planning and development.
Meanwhile, the national-level World Rivers Day 2026 celebration will be held at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang (Phase 2) in Sibu, Sarawak, on Oct 24.
Roshana said Sibu was a suitable choice due to the town’s close connection with rivers, particularly Batang Rajang, Malaysia’s longest river, which plays an important role in the lives of the local community.
Various activities have been planned for the celebration, including a national water resources expedition from Sibu to Hulu Kapit, photography and videography competitions, a fishing competition, community programmes and a two-kilometre walk along the river.
An exhibition of innovative products by local communities and a Rahmah Sale will also be held on the main event day.
Themed ‘Sungai dan Anak Sungai di Dalam Komuniti Kita’ (Rivers and Streams in Our Communities), the celebration aims to encourage the public to learn more about and connect with rivers near their homes.
Roshana expressed hope that the initiatives would raise public awareness of the need to protect rivers, including by avoiding littering and activities that could pollute water sources.