‘Solving drainage woes takes time’

THE Local Government and Housing Ministry and the Drainage and Irrigation Department ( DID) are working through the problems with old drainage system gradually as it is impossible to solve them at once.

Commenting on the old and dilapidated drainage system not only affecting Sarawak but throughout the country, Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian pointed out that it is not possible to set aside funds to solve the problems in one single allocation.

“We are continuously working on improving our drainage system but we must take a step back to think that the development experienced in Kuching city alone is not done in one shot, but gradually over 30 years,” he said.

Dr Sim highlighted this when met at the end of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting at the lobby of the DUN Complex here yesterday.

“And similarly, we only can carry out the repair and replacement works gradually and we will constantly work on the drainage problems because we know it is important,” he added.

Dr Sim added that his ministry intends to fine-tune existing guidelines or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for property contractors to follow.

“We are looking at blacklisting bad contractors where all their information including name and IC will be posted up at all local councils as well as relevant departments and agencies,” he revealed.

“This is part of the big data which the Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) has been talking about. The data will be openly shared,” he pointed out.