Incoming delegation from Malaysia studied Dutch delta approach

An incoming delegation from the Malaysian state of Sarawak visited the Netherlands on 20 and 21 February 2023. NWP was proud to host the study visit and organised a two day programme which included presentations and dialogue sessions, as well as various outdoor visits. The incoming delegation was headed by the Honourable Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak (MPHLG).

The study tour provided a unique opportunity for both the visitors from Malaysia as well as the Dutch experts involved to learn from each other and to explore new opportunities for cooperation. The visit was a direct result of the Dutch attendance and presentations at Asia Water, a mission headed by NWP, that took place in Kuala Lumpur last December.

Full programme

The first day started with a welcome by Caroline Bäcker, Director of NWP, and Martien Beek, the Deputy Head at the Department of Marine and International Water Affairs, and Bob Oeloff, the Coordinating Policy Advisor, both of whom represented the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Presentations were given by Michelle Rudolph of HKV and Rasoul Mikkelsen of Royal Eijkelkamp.

The afternoon was spent visiting Deltares and Buccaneer in Delft, with presentations from Blue21, Indymo, and Reefy. The day ended with a visit to the offices of Van Oord and learning about the Ecoshape project from project partners Boskalis and Van Oord.

The second day of the study visit started early with a trip to Mill to visit the PolderLab and hear from Assistant Professors Maarten Schrama and Suzanne Marselis of the University of Leiden. After that, the visitors from Malaysia were hosted by the Municipality of Gouda for a presentation on the Stevige Stad (Solid City) project, a framework plan for subsidence in the city centre of Gouda. It was presented by the Municipality of Gouda and the Rijnland Water Board.

Sarawak incoming delegation visiting PolderLab

It was followed by a presentation of Westergouwe, a new housing community that incorporates water management. This was a joint presentation by the Schieland and Krimpenerwaard Water Boards. The visit to Gouda was concluded with a presentation by Acacia water.

The final stop of the second day was a visit to Zoetermeer to view peak storage and houses built on a location which is below sea level. The visit to Zoetermeer was hosted by the Rijnland Water Board and KWT.

The delegation from Malaysia was very satisfied with the programme, and enthusiastic about the opportunity to exchange experiences and to learn about the Dutch innovations presented. Even the cold Dutch weather did not stop them from experiencing it to the fullest.

Michel Klijmij-van der Laan, Alderman at the Municipality of Gouda, presenting the Stevige Stad project

I wish to take this opportunity to render my million thanks to NWP and team for your kind assistance and guidance during our three day official visit to the Netherlands. They were very much appreciated.

Ahmad Denney

Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak

The expected outcomes of this study visit are:

a comprehensive Master Plan for Flood Mitigation and Stormwater Management for greater Sibu;
to outline the development strategy for greater Sibu;
to develop a stormwater management plan for Bukit Assek.

NWP was proud to show various interesting initiatives and projects and would like to extend a warm thanks to all the organisations involved in making the incoming study visit a great success: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, DRR team, HKV, Royal Eijkelkamp, Deltares, Buccaneer, Blue21, Indymo, Reefy, Ecoshape, Van Oord, Boskalis, Acacia Water, University of Leiden, Municipality of Gouda, Rijnland Water Board, Schieland and Krimpenerwaard Water Board, KWT.