KUCHING: The Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) is inviting flood victims to submit information on their losses to the party from March 11 to 17.
According to Michael Kong, special assistant to party chief Chong Chieng Jen, the data collected will be used to assist the flood victims seek compensation from the state government.
The sessions will take place at the party’s headquarters in Kuching, the 7th Mile Service Centre and the Batu Kawa Service Centre. Flood victims are advised to bring essential documents and details, including their identification card, phone number, lists of damaged items, photos of the damage, house address and police report.
“DAP is taking the initiative to prepare a memorandum for victims to seek compensation from the state government for their financial loss due to the recent flooding in Kuching.
“This flooding is not merely due to an act of God but as admitted by many state government leaders, is due to a lack of proper infrastructure. Since they have admitted to this shortcoming, we must hold them accountable,” he said at a press conference held at the party’s headquarter today (Mar 6).
Kong said that in February this year, Kuching faced three significant flash floods within just two weeks, adding to a series of similar events over the past three years, underscoring an urgent and recurring issue.
He said the severity of damages caused by flash floods can be directly linked to either lack of action or insufficient infrastructure and the responsibility for addressing the escalating severity of floods falls squarely on the shoulders of the government.
He urged the government to promptly compensate flood victims to expedite their return to normalcy. While the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) has provided financial assistance to those in relief centres, many others have suffered significant financial losses.
He pointed out that flood mitigation projects, such as the Pembangunan Lembangan Sungai Bersepadu (PLSB) Flood Mitigation project, must be initiated without delay.
“With RM150 million already allocated by the Federal Government, the Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID Sarawak) should proceed promptly with the project,” he said.
For further inquiries, please contact Micheal Kong at 013-8199191, Sim Kiat Leng at 016-4262210, Soo Tien Ren at 010-8058276, George Lam at 011-25181872, June Choo at 0168552213, Anthony Chin at 010-9602334, or Chong Jian Hua at 014-3955592.
