KUCHING: The Netherlands has shown a strong interest to work with Sarawak to tackle flooding, offering to share its long-standing experience in managing water as the state faces increasingly severe floods caused by climate change.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Malaysia, Jacques Werner, said his government is prepared to extend knowledge, technology and services in water management to help Sarawak reduce flood risks and long-term impacts.
“Over hundreds of years, we have developed various solutions that have made us experienced and highly knowledgeable in water management issues.
“This knowledge, expertise as well as related goods and services, we hope to share with Sarawak in the future to help reduce the risks and impacts of flooding,” he said.
Werner said this to reporters after paying a courtesy call on Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya, on Wednesday, where discussions centred on potential cooperation in water management.
He said the Netherlands is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on water cooperation with the federal government in the near future, and proposed that a similar framework be extended to include the Sarawak government.
Werner noted that Sarawak has experienced severe flooding in recent years, including in Bintulu, Sibu and several other areas, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive and long-term approach to flood management.
He added that collaboration and the sharing of expertise are crucial as flooding will remain a recurring threat and climate change is expected to further exacerbate the situation.
In a related development, Werner said his visit to Sarawak also included representatives from several Dutch companies keen to contribute to Sarawak’s plans to build new airports and modernise existing facilities.
“We have several Dutch companies that are interested in contributing towards the realisation of these objectives,” he said.
