See: Govt not keeping promises of allocation for flood mitigation projects
KUCHING: The lack of political will by the federal and state governments to implement flood mitigation projects and measures will cause Sarawakians to continue to suffer anxiety and possible damage this monsoon season.
State PKR vice chairman See Chee How said apart from that, the state will also have to expend substantial funds for flood relief efforts and to repair and restore infrastructural amenities damaged by floods.
“There are always promises to give high hope to Sarawakians especially those residing and working in the cities and towns that flash flood mitigation measures are taken seriously, that it is a ‘ key result area under the Rural Transformation Cabinet Committee’,” he told a press conference at the party’s headquarters yesterday.
He said the flooding in Kuching over the last two days have showcased another year of lacklustre performance in the implementation of flood mitigation projects and measures by the federal and state governments.
To substantiate his criticism on the poor performance, See, who is also Batu Lintang assemblyman, referred to the Hansards on the answer given by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to his question posed at the State Legislative Assembly sitting last month.
“In the ministerial windingup speech in November, it was revealed by the minister ( Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian) that there will be a RM100-million allocation from the state in 2017 to implement critical drains improvement works as flood mitigation efforts to be implemented by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage ( DID) and the local authorities.
“This RM100 million is purportedly besides the RM3.5 million and RM6.9 million approved by the state government to carry out the drainage outlet improvement works at the Sarawak General Hospital ( SGH) and Padang Merdeka respectively,” he said.
He also pointed out that the federal government had promised allocations for flood mitigation and river projects - RM27.55 million for flood mitigation, RM10.66 million for river projects in 2017 and RM23.48 million (flood mitigation) and RM28.65 million (river projects) for 2016.
“There is also an allocation of RM11 million under the 11th Malaysia Plan for the implementation of Stormwater Management Drainage Master Plan study for major towns in Sarawak and RM150 million for flash flood mitigation projects in a few areas including SGH, Batu Lintang area, Sg Tabuan, Taman Unigarden and SK Muara Tuang,” he said, adding that other areas included Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho, former federal quarters at Batu Lintang and Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, dredging of Sg Tabuan and Taman Malihah.
However, he claimed that these promises were not delivered.
“From the answer given by the ministry in the sitting last month, the Cabinet Committee for Rural Transformation Initiative has allocated RM43.3 million to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to implement 97 flash flood mitigation projects in Sarawak in 2017.”
See said up till November this year, only nine projects were completed, 49 projects were in various stages of physical works and 39 projects were still in their tendering stage.
“Only 63 projects were expected to be completed this year, while 34 projects are expected to be completed next year,” he said, noting that only RM3.15 million or 7.3 per cent of the allocated funds were expended by November 2017.
He said the actual allocation by the federal government to Sarawak was equally unsatisfactory and disappointing.
“For the three years in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the actual allocation and expenditure by the federal Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to DID Sarawak was RM9.86 million, RM5.96 million and RM13.60 million respectively.
“For 2016 and 2017, the actual expenditure was only 11.4 per cent and 34.7 per cent of the promised allocation.”
He said the sum given to Sarawak did not include the approved allocation under the 11th Malaysia Plan (RM11 million) and RM150 million specific flash flood mitigation projects.
“Despite having a Sarawakian appointed as Natural Resources and Environment Minister ( Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar), he could not ensure that the federal government fully deliver the approved allocation for Sarawak. This is utterly unacceptable.”
He thus called upon Wan Junaidi to explain on the approved allocation amounts which were not disbursed to Sarawak for the flash flood mitigation projects and measures.
“This is making the budgetary promises by the federal government empty and unreliable.”
He also called on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to ensure that there will be better supervision and monitoring by the state Rural Transformation Cabinet Committee to ensure completion and delivery of the planned flash flood mitigation projects.
Also present at the press conference were PKR Mas Gading branch chairman Boniface Willy Tumek who is also the party’s state vice chairman and PKR national vice-president Voon Shiak Ni.