KUCHING: The Project Pembangunan Lembangan Sungai Bersepadu (PLSB) Sungai Sarawak, or the Sungai Sarawak Integrated River Basin Project Package 2, officially commenced today (June 20) following a meeting.
Kho Teck Wan, a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, said this in a Facebook post that the project, which focuses on crucial drainage upgrades, aims to alleviate flash floods in key areas of Kuching.
The scope of work in this package includes drainage upgrades at Sarawak General Hospital, Jalan Batu Lintang and Kuching Federal Workers’ Quarters.
“During the meeting, Sarawak Drainage and Irrigation Department director Datuk Ir Ahmad Denney handed over the project to the successful contractor, marking the beginning of the two-year initiative.
“This project is expected to significantly mitigate flash floods caused by heavy rains in the vicinity of Sarawak General Hospital, Jalan Batu Lintang, and Federal Quarters, Jalan Durian Burung,” Kho said.
She said the Sungai Sarawak Integrated River Basin Project was initially approved by the administration of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak prior to 2016.
However, its implementation faced numerous delays. Persistent efforts by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) representatives and local councils have been instrumental in pushing the project forward.
“After much delay and much effort by GPS representatives and local councils to push for the implementation of the project, I am so grateful that this flood mitigation project under the 11th Malaysia Plan is finally going to be implemented,” Kho stated.
The swift implementation of this project is also attributed to the collaboration and efforts of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, and federal Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
