KUCHING: A park near Pine Square in MJC, Batu Kawah here has been suggested to be converted into an anti-flood park with a sunken basin that could hold and redirect a significant amount of rainwater to prevent flooding in the area.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said he will get the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak to look into the idea to develop the park as a “sunken” park with additional usage as a “retention” pond during excessive amounts of rain and when the river water level is too high.
Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Minister, pointed out that many urban areas in the state are suffering from climate issues such as cloudburst, an excessive amount of rain water from the river upstream, and rising sea water levels.
“We need to educate ourselves and learn about some of these key concepts: Climate adaptation and all the experts had agreed on “build with nature” or “natural solutions” as the way forward,” he said in a Facebook post today (March 2).
He also shared some of the insights from other countries that address the climate issues using water management techniques and technologies in flood prevention and protection.
In Amsterdam, he said the canal is used for tourists’ sightseeing while the local authorities use it to “retain” excessive amounts of water, but the bottom of the canal remains a peatland “drain.”
Meanwhile in Copenhagen, he said the local council converts the small green spaces in housing or shopping areas into “sunken” green spaces or parks so that excessive amounts of water can be “retained” instead of running off the concrete pavements or roads and causing flash floods.
“We used to construct big monsoon drains, but in Singapore, the country has knocked down the concrete to create natural streams and rivers,” he added.
“As such, we need to create room for water. More parks are needed so that water can be absorbed by the ground rather than having to be diverted into the drainage system.”
On the same note, Dr Sim said he will also request for additional funding under the 12th Malaysia Plan during the mid-term review from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He asserted that the current Batu Kawa flood mitigation and drainage upgrade of RM140 million is not sufficient with the rising cost of materials post COVID-19.
Dr Sim hoped that the unity government and Sarawak parliamentarians would use funds from the federal budget to support expediting flood control activities and improving drainage systems in Batu Kawah, noting that funding for flood mitigation is on the concurrent list.
