Dudong.com

Oct 13, 2022

Expedite Rajang, Igan rivers survey - Dudong assemblyman 13/10/2022 01:59 PM SIBU, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is urging Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian to expedite the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID)’s work on Rajang and Igan rivers survey. He said with the survey data in hand, riverbed dredging works and a more effective flood mitigation plan could be implemented. “Despite the Sarawak Government’s approved RM10 million allocation to survey the Rajang and Igan rivers, it was utterly unsatisfactory and disappointing as only RM2.8 million has been released so far this year for the purpose. “Climate change and global warming continue to worsen year after year making the rainy season more unpredictable and making the work to dredge and deepen the riverbeds more urgent,” he said in a statement here today. Because of that he said the authorities must quickly release the remaining RM7.2 million to speed up the progress of the riverbed survey work because the affected residents could no longer live with the effects of climate change. Tiong said he had brought the matter with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and therefore, he strongly requested Dr Sim and the DID to expeditiously follow through with the release of the remaining allocation. Currently he said the water level at the Bakun Dam is at alarming level and once it exceeds the warning line, water would be need to be released. Continuous heavy rain for the past few days had plagued many low-lying areas in Sibu with flash floods and for decades the people especially farmers have been under immense stress. “Floods inevitably wash away all painstaking efforts to grow crops, and the ground floors of double-story residences have been submerged with assets and properties damaged.. “The economic losses and emotional trauma felt by the people are heavy and in no way sufficiently compensated by the subsidies given by the government,” he stressed. He added many Sibu areas were affected by raising waters but in Bintangor and Sarikei areas located downriver on the Rajang have not been heavily flooded, proving that the Rajang upstream areas were heavily silted making the water unable to flow well. -- BERNAMA