SIBU: Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, Michael Tiang Ming Tee, has adapted the ‘Great Wall of China’ concept to tackle the flood issue in the Pelawan constituency.
Tiang said that Sungai Seduan is an important river for his constituency, as all the drains in the area direct water into the river.
Therefore, since last year, Tiang has allocated his Rural Transformation Project (RTP) funds to upgrade all the drains into concrete structures, which he refers to as the Great Wall of China.
“So, when we aim to control the water level and implement flood mitigation, I believe we have to ensure that the irrigation system within the Pelawan area is effective,” he told reporters during his working visit inspecting the drain here today.
Tiang said that he is currently focusing on upgrading the 1.1 km stretch of Jalan Ling Kai Cheng to Sungai Seduan.
However, he declined to disclose the exact amount of funds allocated for the ongoing project.
“Every year we use allocation (to upgrade) as long as possible (the drains), connect all the way to Sungai Seduan like the Great Wall of China. If it (the fund is) not enough, next year I will come in again,” he said.
He also said that upgrading the drains into concrete structures will result in a more effective irrigation system.
“We believe this will control the water level in the Pelawan residential area and prevent flash flood issues,” he added.
