KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed his concern over the frequent floods in Sibu and urged for the issue to be resolved immediately, says Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He said the chief minister had agreed to pay a visit to Sibu in the near future to hear for himself the report from the Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee (SDDMC) on the proposed projects to overcome the flood problem in Sibu.
“He also said he would consider a number of allocations to fund maintenance projects in the affected areas after the meeting, to prevent frequent and severe floods.
“The allocations also include upgrading and maintenance works for the drainage systems, which are a factor in the occurrence of floods in the affected areas,” he said in a Facebook post today.
In his post, he shared that he had had the opportunity to meet with the chief minister during the recent 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting in order to discuss the issue of flash floods which have long occurred in Sibu.
The Bintulu MP said a collection of photographs of flood incidences in Sibu and results of discussions and flood control policies obtained from SDDMC after they had held several meetings had also been presented to Abang Johari for his reference and attention.
“As Dudong assemblyman, I once again repeat the suggestion to deepen Sungai Rajang and Sungai Igan so as to accommodate the volume of rainwater coming from nearby streams and tributaries,” he said.
At the same time, Tiong said he had also met with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director to discuss the same issue.
“He had received instructions from the Chief Minister’s Office to accompany the chief minister on his visit to Sibu,” he said.
He said Abang Johari also hoped that the flood problems in Sibu would be resolved in stages over the next four years so that the people in the affected areas would not have to live in fear and anxiety anymore.
Therefore, Tiong called on all parties involved such as DID, Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC), and others to work together to overcome this problem.
“We need to communicate proactively to realise this. It also proves that we, as Sarawak government agencies, always provide the best service and help to solve the problems faced by the people,” he said.
