THE implementation of various urban drainage and flood mitigation projects are receiving serious attention with allocations totaling RM17.868 million in 2023.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Sim Kui Hian said rural townships are not neglected. Under the Sri Aman Development Authority (SADA), the state government has allocated RM68 million for 10 flood mitigation and drainage improvement projects in the Sri Aman Division.
“All the 10 projects are in various stages of implementation, four of which are flood mitigation for Kejamut areas and are expected to commence in June 2023,” he said when winding up the debates on his ministry yesterday.
Under the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), Dr Sim said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved a ceiling of RM24.806 million to implement four projects under the scope of flood mitigation, drainage improvement and masterplan studies in the area.
“Drainage improvement works at SK Muara Tuang, Samarahan are in completion stage pending for CPC recommendation by consultant.
“As for flood mitigation works for Taman Samarindah, Samarahan is still in the design stage. The other two drainage master plan studies for Samarahan, Simunjan and Gedong are all in the final stage,” he said.
On a related note, Dr Sim said the federal government has allocated RM14.698 million this year for five flood mitigation projects.
“Out of these five projects, two are currently under design stage, one at the tendering stage while the other two namely Phase 3 of Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) Sibu with a project cost of RM84 million has achieved physical progress of 95 percent and scheduled for completion by the third quarter of this year.
“As for Sungai Stakan RTB, Kuching is now under construction and expected to complete by the first quarter of next year,” he said.
In response to Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen regarding the implementation of Sarawak River Integrated River Basin Development (PLSB) project, he said it was delayed due to various factors including changes to the procurement method from direct negotiation to open tender by the federal government.
“To date, out of RM150 million allocated, DID Sarawak only received RM6.9 million for land acquisition. The RM150 million allocations as claimed by Padungan assemblyman to be there all this while were in fact never received by DID Sarawak.
“During my recent working visit to the Minister of Natural Resource, Environment and Climate Change Malaysia Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, he explained and graciously apologised for the various federal changes in the procurement process, which resulted in the delay on the PLSB implementation.
“He promised to bring the Notice of Change (NOC) to the Minister for Economy in their Federal cabinet meeting,” Dr Sim said.
