KUCHING: The Sarawak government has allocated RM14.7 million this year for the implementation of numerous urban drainage and flood mitigation projects.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said there were three urban drainage improvement projects; including one in Kampung Jeriah Sibu (Phase 2), which was completed in August this year.
Another two drainage improvement works, he said, were in Kubong, Limbang and Phase 1 Taman Desa Ilmu Kota Samarahan, which were currently in the design stage.
Apart from that, he said, there were five flood mitigation projects namely Rancangan Tebatan Banjir (RTB) Sibu (Phase 4), RTB Bintulu (Phase 2), RTB Miri (Phase 2), RTB Sg Semariang and Drainage Improvement Works at Jalan Datuk Amar Kalong Ningkan and Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli, all of which are under detailed design.
Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, was delivering his ministerial winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.
He added that RM34.6 million was allocated to the Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) under Projek Rakyat for the implementation of 56 projects this year. Out of these, 21 projects have been completed and the other 35 projects are under various stages of implementation.
Under the Rural Transformation Projects (RTP) for 2022, the DID has also been allocated with RM92.5 million for the implementation of 541 projects in various divisions. These projects are currently under various stages of implementation.
The Sarawak government has also allocated RM286.85 million for 18 flood mitigation and drainage improvement projects in Sri Aman Division under SADA. All the 18 projects are in various stages of implementation, four of which are expected to be tendered and to physically commence next year.
Another RM24 million was approved for the DID to implement four projects under the scope of flood mitigation, drainage improvement and masterplan studies in the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) area. As of October 2022, all projects are in various stages of implementation.
Under the National Hydrological Network Programme, the Department will set up 12 new hydrological stations and upgrade 76 existing stations throughout Sarawak at a cost of RM9.1 million. The projects are currently on-going and scheduled to complete next month.
Dr Sim said the federal government has also approved the installation of a flood forecasting and warning system at Sungai Sarawak and Batang Rejang at a total project cost of RM34.2 million. It is currently under detailed design and the tender is expected to be called by DID Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur by the first quarter of 2023.
Meanwhile, the Sungai Sarawak Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB), with a cost of RM150 million is currently in the detailed design stage. It is scheduled to be tendered out by DID Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur by the first quarter of 2023.
As for the Sarawak Urban Stormwater Management and Drainage Master Plan, Dr Sim said, studies had been conducted for urban areas to ensure adequate stormwater management for future planning and development.
He said the studies for Sarikei and Bintangor were completed in 2018 while the studies for Serian, Betong, Debak, Spaoh and Saratok were completed in 2021.
“For this year, the DID has completed the study for Limbang, whereas the studies for Sri Aman and Lawas are expected to complete by the end of this year,” he said.
