KUCHING: The Batu Kawa constituency needs an additional RM124 million to further improve the drainage system in the area.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said RM80 million is needed to improve seven drainage works in Batu Kawa and another RM44 million is required for Taman Desa Wira’s second phase drainage project.
He said the additional development fund application will be made under the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in order to ensure the planned development project can proceed smoothly.
“The increase in development expenditure was due to the hike in the prices of various construction materials,” he said this after inspecting the on-going RM12 million Jalan Field Force drainage improvement project here recently.
The current work progress on the Jalan Field Force drainage system project stands at 46 per cent complete as it was facing some delay due to the underground cable layout.
Dr Sim said he has obtained seven drainage improvement projects for Batu Kawa constituency under the 12MP, namely Batu Kawa Lorong 1c and 3, Sungai Moyan, Sungai Surih, Jalan Field Force, Jalan Ketitir, RPR area as well as riverbank rehabilitation works at Kampung Sinar Budi Lama.
As the elected state representative for Batu Kawa, he promised he would do his part by seeking funds from the Sarawak government to further improve the overall drainage system in his constituency.
He also urged the Members of Parliament (MPs) from Sarawak to exercise their roles and obligations to fight for more funds from Putrajaya to address the flood woes in Sarawak.
He said it is a joint responsibility of the federal government and Sarawak government to improve and upgrade the flood mitigation system in Sarawak.
“The federal government should not be asking or expecting Sarawak to take full commitment (to address this issue) just because our economy is good,” he said.
“ Thus, we hope all the Sarawak MPs know their obligations and responsibilities to seek funds from the federal government to promote the development of Sarawak which will benefit Sarawakians,” he added.
