Work towards solving frequent flash floods affecting Miri Tua Pek Kong Temple, local authorities told
MIRI: Miri City Council ( MCC) and the state Drainage and Irrigation Department ( DID) have to come up with an effective solution to address the drainage problem at the oldest Chinese temple in the city, the Tua Pek Kong Temple.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin stressed on this call, adding that it is vital in handling the frequent f lash floods at the house of worship.
“This issue (frequent flash floods) is not new – the most serious incident occurred in 2014, when all the surrounding areas within the temple and China Street were inundated.
“This year alone, the temple had been hit by f lash f loods twice. I want the relevant agencies to work with the developer of the area on ways to fortify the drainage there and resolve the flash flood problem once and for all,” he told reporters after visiting the drainage site behind Tua Pek Kong Temple here yesterday.
Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, acknowledged that the area is still under developing stage and as such, it is crucial for the relevant agencies to work together with the area developer towards countering this problem.
“This temple serves not only as a place of worship, but it is also a tourist attraction.
“Thus, we must resolve this issue; otherwise it would tarnish the city’s good image, in that it indicates poor services.”
Lee suggested that as a short- term solution, MCC could provide regular drainage maintenance – making sure that the drains remain clear from debris and also from plant overgrowth.
“Yes, this area is still being developed and is yet to be handed to the local authorities as far as maintenance works go, but this should not be an excuse – people are badly affected by the frequent flooding there.
“I strongly feel that the relevant agencies need to take the initiative towards solving this problem, which along with other related issues like poor drainage maintenance, grass- cutting services and rubbish collection, that are very close to the people’s hearts,” he stressed.