Lack of comprehensive flood mitigation solution exposes Bintulu to recurrent risks, warns Tiong

BINTULU (Dec 18): The absence of a comprehensive flood mitigation solution continues to expose residents here to recurring risks of flooding, said Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture said it is concerning that the Bintulu Flood Mitigation Plan remains only partially resolved.

He said his constituency was again hit by flooding on Monday following continuous heavy rain, affecting numerous residential and commercial areas.

Tiong said the flooding in the town is no longer an isolated occurrence but a long-standing problem that has yet to be effectively addressed, resulting in repeated losses and hardship for the community.

He recently attended the final Bintulu Divisional Development Committee (DDC) meeting of the year and listened to a briefing by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) on Phase Two of the Bintulu Flood Mitigation Plan.

He noted that in a meeting last March, the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA) had approved several flood mitigation upgrade projects, involving SJK Sebiew, Taman Jason, Gem Park, Taman Desa Damai, and the Traffic Police Station.

According to Tiong, the construction of a flood detention pond and drainage system upgrades have been proposed to address flooding at SJK Sebiew.

In Taman Jason, the main drain’s capacity has been identified as insufficient, necessitating expansion and infrastructure improvements.

Gem Park requires the construction of bunds and a pumping system, while flood mitigation at the Traffic Police Station, situated at a lower elevation than surrounding buildings would involve cut-off drains, bund walls, and pumping facilities to prevent water accumulation.

Tiong highlighted public concerns that the implementation of these projects, if not properly integrated and executed, could increase overall flood pressure.

“There are fears that if these facilities fail to perform as intended, the knock-on effects could worsen flooding in other areas,” he said.

He stressed that a major unresolved issue is the lack of approval for dredging works along Sungai Sebiew, largely due to the absence of suitable relocation sites for squatters residing along the riverbanks.

Although the SPA has instructed DID to carry out detailed drainage system studies to improve the flow capacity of Sungai Sebiew, Sungai Sebatang, and Sungai Plan, Tiong said more decisive action is required.

“I have also called for further measures, including straightening and deepening river channels, to fundamentally enhance drainage capacity,” he said.

While welcoming the approval of the five projects, Tiong cautioned that they are insufficient to resolve the broader flooding problem.

“The crux of the matter is Sungai Sebiew. This project has the greatest impact on flooding, yet it has still not been approved. Without addressing this core issue, the overall effectiveness of flood mitigation efforts will remain limited,” he said.

He added that no new proposal for Sungai Sebiew was presented during the meeting.

As a result, Tiong said he has requested DID prepare a new proposal and pledged to personally bring the matter to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for prompt approval.

“This is an issue that must be resolved. I will bring the relevant documents to meet the Premier. We cannot continue to let the people live in fear at the slightest sign of rain, constantly anxious and suffering,” he said, adding that any river sections that can be deepened immediately should be addressed to mitigate current flood risks.

Tiong also criticised the repeated revisiting of outdated plans.

“Without new proposals, immediate deepening and widening works, and comprehensive strengthening of river structures, flooding will continue to recur,” he said.

He pointed out that the resettlement of squatters along both banks of Sungai Sebiew has been pending for five years.

“This is a core issue that cannot be avoided in any flood mitigation plan and must be resolved immediately,” he said.

In addition, Tiong raised concerns that land originally reserved for river engineering works has since been converted into residential or private land, urging the authorities to confront and resolve the matter appropriately.

“The DID has agreed on the need to prepare a new proposal,” he said, expressing hope that all relevant projects can commence soon and be properly executed so that the people of Bintulu can finally be spared from recurring flood-related hardship.