DPM: River basin devt project will resolve critical flooding by 2026, benefiting over 20,000 residents  

KUCHING (July 21): Critical flash flooding in the city will be a thing of the past upon the completion of the Sungai Sarawak Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB) in 2026, said Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the project will benefit more than 20,000 surrounding residents, with an estimated 117 hectares protected from the risk of flood disasters.

“The project is being implemented in three packages with a total cost of RM191 million approved by the federal government through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra),” he told reporters after performing the earth-breaking ceremony for Package 3 of PLSB, here today.

Package 3, worth RM41.96 million, involves the areas of Sungai Gersik and Sungai Sinjan, and Sungai Tengah and Sungai Minjap.

Fadillah, who is Petra Jaya MP, said the other two packages are also underway, namely Package 1 involving the Kuap River Sub-Basin to overcome the flood problem around Muara Tuang Park, Taman Univista and Unisquare, and Tabuan Dayak; and Package 2 involving the area around Sarawak General Hospital.

“There are also other areas where flash floods occur but not as critical as in the areas where we are implementing this PLSB,” he said.

The earth-breaking for Package 3 of the PLSB took place at SK Tan Sri Datuk Haji Mohamed Hall, Jalan Belatok in Matang here, witnessed by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian who is Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, and Chief Political Secretary to the Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman who is Tupong assemblyman.

Fadillah also said Petra will continue to seek funds to implement flood mitigation programmes in other parts of Sarawak, including for coastal erosion.

He said under the Fourth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, nearly RM300 million has been allocated to Sarawak for coastal erosion and flood mitigation projects.

Meanwhile, he reminded the appointed contractor for the PLSB to ensure the project is completed on schedule and according to the specifications, standard and budget set.

“The contractor must also keep in regular contact with representatives of the local residents to mitigate any difficulties the residents might face during the implementation of the project,” he added.