PETALING JAYA: The Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) has been tasked with monitoring coastline erosion as the government implements measures to address the issue.

       Environment and Water Minister (Kasa) Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told The Star that the DID was responsible for monitoring the country’s coastlines including mangrove areas which serve as a buffer against erosion.

       “Kasa will ensure that short- and long-term measures based on the concept of working with nature are implemented to maintain the balance in the ecosystem,” he added in response to reports of eroding coastlines in Peninsular Malaysia.

       Tuan Ibrahim said the short-term measures include building structures to control erosion at critical areas to ensure facilities, properties and valuable structures are not ruined .

       Long-term measures, on the other hand, include tightening the management of beaches such as controlling development.

       This, he said, will prevent the need for expensive conservation measures in the future.