The country is now facing a serious challenge posed by frequent floods in areas that have previously been unaffected, said National Security Council (MKN) director-general Datuk Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin. He said that the rate and intensity of flooding are on the rise, along with the duration of the disaster affecting several states in Malaysia. 'We are now seeing a rise in the frequency of floods, an increase in flood days, and what concerns me the most is that places that have never seen floods are now experiencing them. 'But, we are not ready. Floods in Kelantan and Terengganu are so common that children are now looking forward to them. Yet, flooding is a very traumatic experience,' he said at the National Security Index (IKK) 2023 townhall session here today. He also said that the situation has come to the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who prioritises and takes flood mitigation projects across the country seriously. For the record, the government has allocated RM11.8 billi on for the implementation of 33 high-priority flood mitigation projects nationwide in Budget 2024. Meanwhile, Raja Nurshirwan said IKK is crucial for raising public awareness of disasters and enhancing national security, as well as preparing Malaysians for any potential disaster. 'Without IKK, our efforts to raise awareness of security issues will face challenges will face difficulties. I hope that through this kind of engagement, the public will gain a better understanding of these challenges,' he said. He stated that IKK allows the government to gather feedback from the public, raise awareness of security matters, and foster a consensus on security issues within the nation. The IKK townhall session addressed the nine key components outlined in the National Security Policy 2021-2025, which include Malaysia's sovereignty and integrity, socio-political stability, good governance, economic integrity, social justice, sustainable development, public security, and international recognition. IKK was launched b y Anwar on July 30 in conjunction with National Security Month 2024. The index serves as an official tool for measuring the level of national security. Source: BERNAMA News Agency