Seek federal funding for flood mitigation, says Lo to Chong

KUCHING: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen should voice his concerns on the state’s flood issues in Parliament and request for allocations for flood mitigation from the federal government, said Lo Khere Chiang.

The Batu Kitang assemblyman said under the Concurrent List, the federal government is also responsible for flood mitigation.

“The flooding issue cannot be solved with RM1 or RM2 – it involves a big sum of money. For example, Kampung Kuap alone needs RM400 million to come up with a master plan, and once the study is done, you have to go into detailed planning and design prior to the implementation of the projects.

“All these projects need to be approved by the federal Department of Irrigation and Drainage.

“So, you ask me whose responsibility is this? Chong, you are the Stampin MP and you spent 20 seconds in the last parliamentary sitting mentioning about flooding, and you expect that 20 seconds is going to solve the entire flooding problem in Sarawak?”

Adding on, Lo said as DAP Sarawak chairman, Chong ought to speak up for the whole of Sarawak and not just for his Stampin constituency.

“Kampung Kuap alone needs RM400 million, so tell me how much money does the whole of Sarawak need? Hundreds of billions of ringgit!” he said to reporters when met after officiating a food aid presentation ceremony at SJKC Chung Hua Mile 10 here, yesterday.

Lo was responding to Chong’s call on Saturday for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian to be held accountable over the increasing frequency and severity of flash floods in the city.

Chong, who is also Padungan assemblyman, had said that the local councils under Dr Sim’s ministry are responsible for the building plans and drainage system in the city.

“The drainage system should naturally be improved by infrastructural development. Yet, it seems like the flash flood problem in Kuching is just getting worse. This reflects poor planning and execution from the minister and his ministry,” he said in a statement.

Chong also called on Dr Sim, who is deputy premier, to give a full and detailed public report on the cause of flash floods at Mile 7 Bazaar, Arang Road, Desa Wira in Batu Kawah, Hua Joo Park and other flood-affected areas here.

He also called upon the ministry to pay compensation to the flood-hit residents and businesses.

So, you ask me whose responsibility is this? Chong, you are the Stampin MP and you spent 20 seconds in the last parliamentary sitting mentioning about flooding, and you expect that 20 seconds is going to solve the entire flooding problem in Sarawak?

Lo Khere Chiang