KUCHING: The Netherlands has expressed its willingness to share its extensive expertise and experience in water management to assist Sarawak in tackling the increasingly serious flood issue caused by climate change.

Dutch Ambassador to Malaysia Jacques Warner said the matter was discussed during his courtesy call on Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, with the main focus given to cooperation related to water management.

According to him, the Netherlands is expected to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on water cooperation with the Federal Government in the near future, and proposed that the scope of the same cooperation be expanded with the Sarawak Government.

"Over hundreds of years, we have developed various solutions that have made us experienced and knowledgeable in water management issues.

"We would like to share this knowledge, expertise, as well as goods and services with Sarawak in the future to help reduce the risk and impact of floods," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after his courtesy call on Datuk Amar Dr Sim at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya, on Wednesday.

Jacques added that Sarawak has experienced serious flooding incidents in recent years, including in Bintulu, Sibu and several other areas, thus requiring a more comprehensive long-term approach.

Therefore, he said, cooperation and sharing of expertise is important to reduce the risk and impact of floods as these disasters will always occur and climate change will worsen the situation.

Meanwhile, Jacques said that his presence in Sarawak also brought several representatives of Dutch companies who are interested in contributing to Sarawak's vision in building more airports and modernising existing facilities.

"We have several Dutch companies who are interested in contributing towards realising this objective," he said. -UKASnews

Reporter: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photographer: Shahril Haqim
Translator: Nerissa Sia