Malaysia is an emerging economy that is striving to achieve developed status by 2020. Like many countries in the tropics, we are prone to flash floods affecting numerous parts of the country. The recently presented Malaysian Second Economic Stimulus Package promises a further allocation of funds for implementation of additional flood mitigation projects. However, having the funding is just the beginning – knowing and understanding which technologies are best to maximise effectiveness requires our practitioners to be well versed in all the latest developments. The state of having to constantly be on the alert and the experience of dealing with this potential problem has shaped Malaysia into a country that is fast gaining knowledge and skills in the management of flash floods. Hosting the 13th ICUD as such in Malaysia, would be an ideal move whereby participants can gain much insight from a location that deals with the problem not only fi-rst hand but also often enough. Due to its history of flooding, attributed to an extensive river tributary network, Sarawak has an ongoing track record in flood mitigation schemes. In the recent $128 million Economic Stimulus Package, RM50 million was allocated for four projects in Kuching. These projects are flood mitigation works for Sungai Maong Paroh at Jalan Matang (RM15 million); flood mitigation Sungai Padungan (Phase 2 – worth at RM18 million); installation of telemetry stations for Sungai Sarawak (RM2 million) and land acquisition for Kuching city flood bypass channel (RM15 million). A further RM78 million was allocated for 10 flood mitigation projects in Sibu including land acquisition. Examples of successfully implemented projects include the Miri City Central Business District Flood Mitigation project, which was completed in Feb 2009 and the Bau Town Flood Mitigation project, designed to protect Bau Town and Bau Police station from major floods. About 39 per cent of the works on the Bau project has been completed including raising the existing roads, constructions of earth bunds, river walls, flood detention ponds, culverts and flood relief channels. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2009.