State to work with fed govt in mitigating flood problems 

 April 24, 2018, Tuesday Marilyn Ten

Abang Johari speaking during the press conference. Also with him are Wan Junaidi (left) and Nasir.

KUCHING: The state government will be working together with the federal government to explore a short-term solution in mitigating flood problems in Kuching, in addition to carrying out ongoing flood mitigation projects in the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this include devising a stormwater management system to ensure that rainwater will not be stored in a certain area.

“Through this system, the water will instead flow direct to the underground or to a man-made pond for the water to be stored,” he told a press conference after launching the Sarawak River Integrated River Basin Development (PLSB) Project at Dataran MJC here today.

Apart from that, Abang Johari also noted that the government would also be looking into township planning.

“We must have mapping on our drainage system so we know where the drains are. We don’t want to end up constructing buildings right where the drains are located because this will cause flooding.”

He said the State Planning Authority (SPA) is now working together with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to map Kuching’s main drainage system to ensure that the city can be planned properly.

“This is a massive development exercise and we are fortunate to have joint efforts with the federal government on this.”

Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari also approved an allocation of RM5 million to develop a Batu Kawa Waterfront as proposed by Local Govenrment and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman.

He said the waterfront will serve as a recreational place for people in the area to practise a healthy lifestyle.

Also present during the press conference were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and DID Director General Dato Dr Md Nasir Md Noh.