BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA and GOH PEI PEI
KUCHING: A master plan on the drainage system is needed to address the incidence of flash floods at several areas in Sarawak.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, however, said it needs to be done in stages because at this time Sarawak depends on grants from the federal government for this.
“I have announced before that we will conduct a comprehensive study on the drainage system in Sarawak, but it requires a large amount of funds.
“Even the implementation of the plan may take five years, maybe ten years. People think it is a plan that can be implemented immediately, but no, it is a long-term plan.
“If you look at the cost analysis, most of our money is spent during floods because we have to look at how to manage floods properly, especially our drainage system,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after the launching of Hari Wanita Sarawak 2023 themed “Embrace Equity” held at the Penview Convention Center (PCC) Demak here on Saturday (March 18).
Abang Johari also referred to the situation in Singapore, which no longer experiences flooding problems due to its well-prepared drainage system.
“Singapore no longer experiences flood problems due to its very good drainage system.
Singapore and Johor are nearby, but Singapore is not affected by floods while Johor is affected.
“I went to Singapore with Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, we went to the Ang Mo Kio settlement which is right on the river but it is not affected by floods.
“Their consultants come from Sweden, and I have asked Dr. Sim to engage these consultants,” he said.
However, he asked the people in Sarawak not to have high hopes that it could be implemented immediately as the plan involves a lot of costs and aspects to be evaluated.
“I may no longer be the Premier when it is implemented later because our state is very big.
However, if it is implemented, it will certainly be done in Kuching first and then other places such as Sibu and others,” he said.
