Address flood issue in Linga, says Simoi

SIMOI Peri ( BN-Lingga) has called for urgent consideration to address the flood issue in her constituency, which stands unresolved until today.

“We need retaining wall and sluices to stop water from flooding the area during high tide,” she said when debating the 2018 state budget yesterday.

I understand that Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has presented a paper to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment but we have not heard about it since. Simoi Peri, Lingga Assemblywoman

The proposal has been submitted to the State Financial Office and is awaiting a decision.

“We need a 2km-long retaining wall from Tanjung Engkabang to Kampung Hulu Sri Aman,” she said, adding that with the coming monsoon there would be frequent floods, especially at the Maludam area.

Houses in Ladong/ Lemanak are constantly flooded as it is in Maludam, Lingga/ Kampung Stubbin, Skait and Tanjung Bijat Sri Aman.

“I understand that Drainage and Irrigation Department ( DID) has presented a paper to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment but we have not heard about it since.”

She also asked for the post of an engineering officer to be set up at the district office to monitor projects that are usually done by Public Works Department (JKR) and DID.

“The DO has no authority to deal with government projects but they get the brickbats when something goes wrong.”

She suggested that projects under RM200,000 are given to the DO to handle, while those above RM200,000 are given to JKR, DID or the relevant agencies.

Simoi also said that Maludam National Park in her constituency was home to proboscis monkeys and migrating birds.

“I propose building a jetty at the starting point of Maludam National Park so locals can improve their socio- economic status by becoming guides for visitors and by selling local products,” she said, adding that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports placed a lot of emphasis on Mulu and Bako.