Lee orders urgent drain rebuild at Miri’s Taman Awam

MIRI (Jan 26): The Public Works Department (JKR) Miri has been instructed to reconstruct the entire drain opposite Taman Awam here after a section was damaged by erosion.

Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the existing drain was in a dilapidated condition and required urgent attention.

“The main concern here is the Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd pipe. This is a major pipe and the erosion could affect it as it is located very close to the drain.

“That is why I am paying special attention to this issue. Urgent action is required and the entire drain must be reconstructed,” he told reporters during a site visit on Monday.

Lee, who is also the Senadin assemblyman, said JKR has prepared the cost estimates under its maintenance allocation, adding that the project will be treated as urgent and is expected to commence next month.

“The drain will be widened and is likely to be designed as a concrete box drain — larger and wider. It will be a reinforced concrete structure, unlike the existing drain,” he said.

Lee also visited another drainage site near Jalan Riam here following public complaints.

He said part of the concrete drain there is on the verge of collapse and immediate action is needed to prevent further structural damage.

“I brought along the relevant agencies to address this problem. I will also be checking on the progress of storm drain clearing works near Jalan Riam and in the Lopeng area, where flooding had previously occurred,” he said.

Lee added that the inspections would allow him to assess the progress of the works, noting that he had received feedback indicating that some of the works were still unsatisfactory.

“I am monitoring all drain-clearing operations in flood-prone areas, particularly in Desa Senadin and Permyjaya. Work is ongoing, and I will also be conducting random checks,” he said.