KUCHING: In an effort to reduce flooding throughout Sarawak during this rainy season, the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and respective resident offices have been instructed to submit reports of rivers and drainage that need to be cleaned.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this is part of the Sarawak government’s effort to curb floods while ensuring other necessary infrastructure is in place to prevent floods.
“When the monsoon season approaches, clogged rivers and drains will be the source of floods.
“That is why we requested that DID and the resident offices give us the list of rivers and drainage so that we can clean them,” he said when met by reporters at the Civil Defence Force (APM) office in Kota Samarahan today (Dec 24).
Meanwhile, Uggah responded that he was unaware of the plans to establish a canal system in Kota Samarahan when questioned about them.
“However, the Sarawak government plans to build infrastructure to reduce flooding in the state.
“And we have a policy that calls for the construction of flood retaining walls, which can be put into action,” he said.
In the meantime, the deputy premier also expressed sympathy for flood victims who will have to spend Christmas at the temporary relief centre (PPS).
“We are aware that some people will celebrate Christmas at the PPS, and we hope they bear with the situation.
“Most importantly, they are blessed to be protected (from flooding), and I don’t think it (staying at PPS) is a problem for them,” he stressed.
At the same time, Uggah has also visited a PPS at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Baru in Kota Samarahan, which houses 96 flood victims from 23 families.
Also present was the Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
