MIRI: Miri Member of Parliament Chiew Choon Man has voiced serious concerns over the flash flood that affected the city on Monday, calling for immediate action to address the issue.
He stressed the importance of upgrading Miri’s aging infrastructure to prevent future occurrences.
“While we await a detailed report from the authorities on the causes and proposed solutions, it is clear that we need to address the challenges of urban growth promptly,” Chiew said in a statement.
As Miri develops into a more advanced city, its drainage and sanitation systems are struggling to keep up with the increasing demands, he said.
Chiew pointed out that inadequate infrastructure upgrades have made the city vulnerable to flooding.
He urged authorities to consider advanced flood mitigation strategies similar to those implemented in Kuala Lumpur, which has faced similar challenges in the past.
Chiew has received numerous reports of flooding across various areas here.
He identified four main causes of flooding in the city namely low-lying areas such as villages like Kampung Pujut Adong and Kampung Sealine which are particularly at risk, especially during high tides combined with heavy rain.
Houses near rivers and other low-lying zones often experience repeated inundation, he said.
He also cited outdated drainage systems saying many existing drains are old and undersized, thus unable to manage the increasing volume of rainwater from expanding urban areas.
Reliance on a single main drainage channel in many areas exacerbates the problem during heavy downpours, he said.
Chiew also pointed to poor maintenance of drainage infrastructure which leads to blockages caused by overgrown grass and weeds.
Some residential areas also lack essential infrastructure such as elevated bridges and well-maintained culverts to curb floods, he added.
In this context he said major roads like Sealine 2N and Kuala Baram Road require immediate drainage system upgrades.
“I understand the significant funding required for these upgrades. I stand ready to assist the Miri City Council in applying for federal funds to address these urgent needs,” he said.
