KUCHING: The authorities concerned have been asked to conduct a study and formulate a comprehensive drainage system for Borneo Garden, Jalan Lapangan Terbang and its surrounding areas as a long-term solution.
In a statement Wednesday (Aug 4), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief, Wilfred Yap added, “It is hoped that with proper planning, the authorities concerned can apply for development funds and/or prioritise and allocate the usage of the yearly development funding from the government for the upgrading of all the existing drains to keep up with the needs of the residential development for the area.”
Yap revealed that he was recently approached by the residents of Borneo Garden, Lorong 4A1, 4A2, and 4A3, Jalan Lapangan Terbang to bring the flash flood predicament there to the attention of the Public Works Department (JKR), Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
“The residents complain that they have been facing flash flood problems during heavy downpours for the past 30 years. The problem has worsened recently.
“The poor drainage causes excess rain water to get into their car porches and living rooms and this has greatly inconvenienced the residents,” he said.
Yap added that the residents had also informed him that for the past 25 years, they had constantly reported the flash flood issue to the authorities concerned but the problem still remained unresolved.
“The residents said they have investigated the causes of the flood and discovered that the main culvert across Jalan Lapangan Terbang that allowed water to drain and escape from Borneo Garden was below the corresponding main drain level and was too narrow or small,” he said.
Yap, who is also SUPP Kota Sentosa branch chairman, said the affected residents had requested for scheduled periodic maintenance and clearing of the earth drains by the side of Jalan Lapangan Terbang to alleviate the flash flooding.
Following these complaints and requests for assistance, he immediately brought up the issue to the attention of JKR, MBKS, and DID for them to resolve the culvert problem and the difference in drain level as soon as possible.
“SUPP PCB will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all the necessary periodic maintenance as well as improvement and upgrading works are carried out and completed properly,” he assured.
SUPP PCB, he added, would continue to serve as the eyes and ears of the local community and would highlight and try to resolve issues of public interest.
Anyone who comes across issues of public interest but are unsure of how to deal with them can call SUPP PCB’s at 016-7797688 or 082-246999, or directly visit the SUPP Head Office to request assistance.
