Flood, erosion mitigation projects planned for rural areas — Minister 

 April 25, 2018, Wednesday

KUCHING: A total of 21 projects to mitigate flood and erosion under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are being planned, many of which will cover rural areas in the state.

This was announced by its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who pointed out that the projects are coastal erosion programmes specifically targetting the villages near the riverbanks or coastal lines in the rural areas.

“I have informed my ministry to give emphasis on the villages, particularly those that are affected by erosion because if we do not do something, the safety of those living in the area may be threatened.

“At the moment, I’m unaware at how much the projects will cost but under the budget of Rolling 4, it will have an allocation of more than RM200 million for this programme,” he said at the launch of Sarawak River Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB), performed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Dataran MJC in Batu Kawah here yesterday.

He expressed his confidence that with the implementation of these projects carried out with assistance from the federal and state governments, erosion caused by factors such as climate change and waves could be rectified.

On Sarawak River PLSB, Wan Junaidi said the federal government had approved RM150 million to implement the project, which encompasses the drainage at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), government quarters, Sungai Gersik, Sungai Sinjan, Jalan Batu Lintang as well as SK Muara Tuang in Samarahan.

The project will also include the deepening and widening of Sungai Tabuan, Sungai Tengah and Sungai Minjap; drainage at Jalan Kuching-Samarahan Expressway in Samarahan; and construction of a riverwall at Kampung Sungai Bedil up to Kampung Lintang.

“Upon completion of all these projects, we expect some 35,000 families to be able to sleep soundly without having to worry about flood occurring at their homes due to swelling rivers and prolonged heavy rains.”

Meanwhile, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said as an immediate measure to complement the total solution planned under Sarawak River PLSB to mitigate flash flood problems at SGH, the state government had approved funds amounting to RM3.5 million for the implementation of drainage outlet improvement works on the hospital, which was completed in January this year.

He also noted that the state government had allocated funds to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) amounting to RM42.96 million under the 11th Malaysia Plan to implement 11 ‘Urban Drainage Improvement’ projects across the state.

“Six of these are continuation projects from the last Malaysia Plan, which has since been completed. Two projects are completed this year; another two are still under construction whereas one is under the procurement stage,” he added.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment secretary-general Datuk Seri Azizan Ahmad, DID director-general Dato Dr Md Nasir Md Noh and DID Sarawak director Chok Moi Soon were also present.