By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 9: Sarawak engineers must look beyond immediate infrastructure needs and develop climate-resilient solutions that can help the State cope with both extreme flooding and prolonged droughts over the next 50 years, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak was not immune to the effects of climate change, with extreme weather such as severe flooding, prolonged droughts and rising temperatures posing challenges to communities and infrastructure.
“Too much rain brings flooding, while prolonged dry periods can affect our water supply, agriculture and even hydropower generation.
“We must therefore prepare for both extremes—too much water and too little water,” he said when speaking at the Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sarawak Annual Dinner 2026 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night (Nov 8).
He said engineers had an important responsibility to ensure infrastructure could withstand changing climate conditions through better flood protection, drainage and water management systems, as well as climate-resilient infrastructure design.
At the same time, he said reducing emissions required practical solutions, from cleaner energy and efficient buildings to better transport and industrial technologies.
With advances in climate forecasting, digital modelling and monitoring, he said engineers could better anticipate risks and plan accordingly, but the real challenge was turning such knowledge into action.
“I want our engineers to think beyond designing and constructing infrastructure and consider how it will perform in 2030 or even 50 years from now, under conditions that may be very different from those today,” he said. — DayakDaily
