"It is an important requirement for irrigation facilities - opening up new areas for the growing rice industry - which has given rise to the establishment of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage or DID (JPT) as it is commonly known."

Prior to the establishment of the JPT in 1932, all works related to drainage and rope were the responsibility of the Public Works Department. Following the slump in tin and rubber industries in the late twenties and the rice becomes increasingly tapered in the country, the British High Commissioner at the time appointed the Rice Cultivation in 1930 to determine the "best steps to be taken to promote the cultivation of rice in Malaya ".

The Committee made extensive studies and published its report in 1931. One of the main recommendations was "a Department of Irrigation and Drainage shall be established for the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States and advisers in the Malay States UMs, who will absorb the Hydraulics Branch Public Works Department, Federated Malay States ". This recommendation was accepted as a separate department on the 1st. January 1932.

During the first 10 years of the existence of this Department until the Japanese occupation, 20,000 hectares of new paddy fields were developed and developed, irrigation and irrigation facilities were provided for approximately 50,000 hectares of existing paddy land. The department has taken over drainage maintenance work on 40,000 hectares of estates and smallholders in Selangor and Perak.

The reconstruction of this work and its extension increased the area to about 80,000 hectares in 1942. During the Japanese occupation, little or no new development besides the construction of some half-finished structures was completed. In drainage areas, abandonment leads to full drainage of silt and shrubs, and in some cases almost completely covers.

During the re-occupation of Malaya in 1945, emphasis was given to the rehabilitation of irrigation works. Government policies have been set up to reduce the country's dependence on imported food supplies, with an emphasis on rice viability, and all efforts have been made to increase local rice production. Following the independence of Malaya in 1957, greater emphasis is given to the improvement of income and employment opportunities of the rural poor.

With this objective, irrigation and drainage plans were formulated to provide sufficient irrigation facilities to allow twice-a-year paddy cultivation, and irrigation facilities to improve plant production especially in small orchards.

Following the formation of Malaysia in 1963, additional State Drainage and Drainage Departments were established in Sabah and Sarawak and this increased the number of State Departments to thirteen with the Federal Headquarters being tasked with the overall drainage and drainage affairs of the country. Significant increase in development after 1957 was reflected in the area provided with irrigation facilities increasing from 205,000 hectares (3,000 hectares with twice-a-year planting) to 332,000 hectares (249,000 hectares with twice-a-year planting) by the end of 1981. Area provided with drainage facilities, has also increased from 142,000 hectares to 476,000 hectares over the same period.

In 1970/71, severe floods hit several parts of western Malaysia and damaged many properties. Following this incident, flood mitigation has been the Department's additional responsibility from 1972 onwards.

Since 1986, coastal engineering has been another function of JPS.

This department, under the direction of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has for many years taken on new responsibilities and expanded responsibilities. Currently, DID tasks include:

• River Basin Management and Coastal Zone
• Water Resources Management and Hydrology
• Special project
• Flood Management
• Environmentally Friendly Drainage

The DID can look back on its history of successful planning. The experience and knowledge he has gained, along with the current dynamism has put the Department as the frontier of national water resources.

VISION
"Leading Engineering Services and National Water Resources Management Service"


MSSION
Provides engineering and water resource management services including integrated river basin, coastal zone as well as flood and drought management to enhance the quality of life of the people by ensuring water security and environmental sustainability.