NST Leader: Malaysia's coastline is running out of time

Malaysia's coastline is facing severe erosion, a problem that extends beyond a single region and poses a significant threat to the nation, according to the leader of the National Sustainability Trust (NST). Coastal erosion, a national issue, could increasingly jeopardize communities, infrastructure, tourism, and livelihoods along Malaysia's coastline.

In Pahang, for instance, the state is seeking RM850 million to combat coastal erosion, but the question now is not just the required funds, but whether Malaysia is adequately preparing for a problem that can affect coastal states across the country. Pahang, with its 210km coastline in Kuantan, Pekan, and Rompin districts, is experiencing its coastal land being submerged by the South China Sea.

This transformation has resulted in the loss of land and infrastructure in several locations, including popular beaches like Pantai Cherating and Teluk Chempedak. The 4-star Summerset Resort in Rompin, a favorite among nature enthusiasts, even closed after 12 years of operation due to the encroaching sea. While it takes time for the sea to claim the coast, the warming of the Earth has accelerated this process.

Villager Nur Zakiah Hamdan of Rompin expressed concern, noting that the shoreline moved 500m closer to her home last year, a situation that was previously 20m away. Pahang's coastal communities have been warning of this threat for years, but the national approach should now be preventive, with a clear assessment of vulnerable areas and appropriate interventions.

This includes a national coastal vulnerability map, a task currently being undertaken by the Irrigation and Drainage Department, though its first phase relies on outdated 2007 data. Development must now account for coastal resilience, with coastal risks being considered in environmental approvals.