Coastal erosion is worsening in the eastern Malaysian State of Terengganu. Coastal erosion in the area is exacerbated by wave action, tidal currents, rising sea levels, climate change, and human activities.
In March 2025, the Malaysian government allocated RM182.5m, equivalent to around US$ 46.5 million, to mitigate worsening coastal erosion in the state, safeguard critical infrastructure such as roads, and ensure funds are available to maintain them effectively.
The budget will cover the construction of coastal erosion management structures, including beach nourishment and offshore breakwaters.
Physical construction for these two projects is expected to begin in early 2027, the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, told the Vibes.
In May 2025, the government constructed embankments in Kuala Nerus, a district in Terengganu. A 66-year-old resident, Mohd Yazit Idris, whose house has been affected by erosion, says that the embankments have given him some peace of mind.
Idris reports that erosion from last year’s monsoon and high tides has partially damaged his house. He hopes the embankment of boulders and soil will hold up during the monsoon season.
Coastal erosion impacts coastal cities around the world, and Malaysia’s eastern state of Terengganu, which faces the South China Sea, is among them.
The long stretch of coastline is prone to coastal erosion and wave overtopping, allowing seawater to intrude into urban areas.
Coastal erosion is exacerbated by human activities near the coast, such as the development of watersheds, river catchments, and offshore areas, as well as by climate change and sea-level rise. Addressing the challenges posed by urban coastal erosion requires an understanding of these factors.
The study titled “Strategic Master Plan for Coastal City Risk Mitigation: A Case Study of Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia,” published in February 2026 in the journal *Natural Hazards*, aims to evaluate and address the various hazards faced along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, specifically focusing on Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu.
The objective is to develop a comprehensive multi-hazard assessment and land-use suitability framework to guide optimal land-use decisions in support of the Coastal City Spatial Master Plan (CCSMP).
Results show that about 46.3% of the central and southern parts of Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus (KTKN) are in low-hazard areas (hazard index below 0.35), making them suitable for city expansion. In contrast, 28.7% of the northern coast is classified as high risk (hazard index> 0.65) due to severe erosion and projected sea-level rise.
Land use suitability maps identify more than 60 square kilometers as ideal for sustainable urban development that minimizes the impact of hazards.
The study notes, “These findings highlight priority areas for climate change adaptation, demonstrate the integration of hazard assessment into spatial planning, and provide a robust, data-driven foundation for policymakers, urban planners, and coastal managers to design resilient, adaptive, and sustainable coastal urban environments.”
Addressing the coastal risk, the study recommends the following:
- Enhancing land use planning and zoning by integrating hazard and suitability maps into municipal ordinances, restricting high-density development in vulnerable coastal strips, and prioritizing the relocation or retrofitting of critical facilities.
- Using hybrid grey-green infrastructure, combining seawalls with mangrove restoration, establishing erosion buffer zones, and dune stabilization programs is also suggested.
- Institutionalizing risk forecasting by developing a web-based Coastal GIS Platform for real-time hazard mapping, incorporating updated IPCC sea-level rise projections into annual reviews.
- Institutional collaboration and partnerships between relevant government agencies, research centers, and local councils, and the creation of a Coastal Resilience Task Force with local expert panels, and
- Finally, strengthening community awareness and adaptive capacity via public education campaigns, incentives for resilient construction and flood-proofing, and support for alternative livelihoods in high-risk fishing and tourism areas.
Sources
Bagheri, M., Talaat, W.I.A.W. & Akhir, M.F.b.M. Strategic master plan for coastal city risk mitigation: a case study of Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Nat Hazards 122, 159 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-025-07798-9
Govt allocates RM182.5m to mitigate worsening coastal erosion in Terengganu – Fadillah. (2025, March 11). The Vibes.com. Retrieved from https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/105744/govt-allocates-rm182.5-million-to-mitigate-worsening-coastal-erosion-in-terengganu-fadillah-says
Harun, N. (2025, May 26). Coastal erosion: Terengganu shoreline gets embankment ahead of monsoon. New Straits Time. Retrieved from https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/05/1221577/coastal-erosion-terengganu-shoreline-gets-embankment-ahead-monsoon#google_vignette
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