Rep: Long-overdue flash flood problem in Pending in dire need of attention
KUCHING: A member of the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) is calling upon Local Government and Housing Ministry, together with Kuching South City Council ( MBKS), to take prompt action in solving fl ash floods experienced by residents of Lorong Foochow 1V, 1T and 1W here.
Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong observes that this long overdue issue affecting areas under her constituency has yet to be addressed, despite having voiced it out at many DUN sittings.
It is believed that the flash flood is caused by poor drainage which has remained a mud drain over the past 30 to 40 years when (the late) Tan Sri Datuk Amar Sim Kheng Hong was then deputy chief minister.
Currently, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is heading the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. “This problem persists. “That is why the residents are frustrated that this problem has been troubling them for so many years, especially during the wet season and the ‘King Tide’ season.
“Last night (Thursday), the flood (water) even entered the houses of some residents – they had to move their cars and properties,” she told reporters at DAP headquarters here yesterday.
Yong said the relevant ministry and MBKS must not sit on the problem; instead, they must answer to the people.
“I would like to tell Dr Sim – you are the minister in charge of local government; your duty is not only attending functions and cutting ribbons.
“You have to carry out your job as Minister of Local Government and Housing to solve the problem affecting basic infrastructure at Lorong Foochow 1V, 1T, 1W immediately,” she stressed.
Yong pointed out that since Dr Sim had claimed he had so much allocation every year for being a senator, full minister and assemblyman, he should use some of it to solve the problem in those areas.
She claimed that in the previous DUN, the answer she received was that the government of the day had bid for the fund amounting to RM1 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to solve the problem.
“Now we are already in the 11th Malaysia Plan, but there is no progress at all – nothing. And what is sickening to see is every time flash flood happens, SUPP leaders would go and take photos, but not solve the problem.
“They are the government of the day, so they have to solve it. I have highlighted the issue and even written to MBKS. I have played my role as an opposition leader highlighting the plight of the people.
“So it is their duty to solve the problem at Lorong 1V, 1T and 1W which is very serious,” she underlined.