‘Construction of drainage system to alleviate flooding’
KUCHING: The RM2.3 million drainage system for the Kampung Tabuan area is meant to rectify the problem of excess water not draining out into the nearby rivers.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that although the matter comes under the local council’s purview and not his ministry, he had sought permission from Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Open to step in and help due to the frequent flooding in the area.
“In Kampung Tabuan, the drainage system has never been given much attention. We understand that Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) does not have enough resources to rebuild it,” he told reporters at SK Tabuan Hilir yesterday.
He added he has asked the Department of Irrigation and Drainage ( DID) Sarawak to study the area so they can decide how much is needed for the project.
Wan Junaidi said an additional
In Kampung Tabuan, the drainage system has never been given much attention. We understand that Kuching South City Council (MBKS) does not have enough resources to rebuild it. Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Natural Resources and Environment Minister
RM500,000 was needed to address the main drain outside because the water does not always go to the river.
Projects currently in progress include building drainage systems in Kampung Tabuan Tengah, Kampung Tabuan Lot and Kampung Tabuan Haji Drahman.
In addition, drains in front of SK Tabuan Hilir, at the entrance to Kampung Tabuan Melayu, and at Kampung Tabuan Hilir are also being built or upgraded.
It is hoped that upon completion, the project will reduce instances of rainwater being trapped in residential areas, causing floods and becoming a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes.
The planning stages for these six projects kicked off in the beginning of the year.
The other two areas being focused on are Kampung Buntal and the stretch between Kampung Panglima Seman to Kampung Bintawa Hilir.
With the monsoon season starting on Saturday, Sarawak can expect rain but Wan Junaidi hoped that there would not be a repeat of the flooding that happened in January.
“Sarawak was given RM150 million by the Prime Minister in last year’s budget to deal with flood mitigation. This is not under our ministry but this is to help the local councils solve the drainage issue.”
He said that there are 16 major projects to be launched between now and next April, based on studies carried out from 2015 to 2016. Two of the projects are in Kuching and Sibu.