DID defends Taman Desa Wira flood mitigation project amid residents’ concerns (Video)

KUCHING (Feb 14): The Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has defended the proposed flood mitigation and detention pond project near Taman Desa Wira in Batu Kawa, saying it is crucial to addressing recurring floods in the area.

Its deputy director Law Wee said the initiative, which has drawn objections from a residents’ group, is aimed at reducing flood risks and could ultimately enhance surrounding property values.

According to Law, several homeowners had raised concerns over falling property prices, possible structural damage and cleanliness of the proposed pond.

“We have tried to answer to them. Basically, their objection is they say the pond will cause their property value to drop, they fear construction will damage their houses, and they worry the pond will be dirty and smelly,” he told reporters after a press conference at Dewan Serbaguna Lorong 5I, Taman Desa Ria, here on Saturday.

Law said technical studies had been conducted and retaining walls would be constructed to ensure nearby houses would not experience land subsidence or structural issues.

“There is very little possibility that their house will suffer any damage due to the construction as we have carried out thorough studies on this,” he said.

He argued that Taman Desa Wira’s long-standing reputation as a flood-prone area was already suppressing housing prices and that resolving the flood issue would instead improve property value.

The detention pond, he added, would be fitted with automatic trash screens and supported by scheduled waste collection. The surrounding area would also be landscaped with greenery and jogging tracks.

Phase Two of the project costs RM44 million, while Phase One exceeded RM20 million, bringing the total state expenditure to over RM60 million.

Law said the project is targeted for completion by July 2027 and is expected to benefit over 20,000 residents, with about 3,800 people severely affected by floods each year.

The department’s response follows a call by the Persatuan Kebajikan Penduduk Desa Wira Batu Kawa for an immediate suspension of the project, citing a lack of transparency and undisclosed engineering and environmental studies.

Association chairperson Dr Chang Li Kuin said residents were not against development but wanted all technical assessments to be publicly disclosed and independently reviewed before works proceed.

She also raised concerns that river walls could worsen flooding if pumping systems failed and cited structural damage observed during Phase One works.

Despite the objections, several community leaders voiced support for the project after the press conference.

Batu Kawa Iban Penghulu Stanley Repon said the first detention pond was not yet fully completed, contributing to continued flooding, but expected improvements once both phases were finished.

Tuai Rumah Robert James also backed the project’s continuation, saying it was for the benefit of the wider community.