PH S’wak secretary urges immediate action on landslides, erosion and flooding in Miri

MIRI (Dec 14): Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary Alan Ling has called on local authorities to take immediate and proactive measures to address the worsening issues of landslides, erosion and flooding in several parts of Miri.

He said numerous complaints had been received and forwarded concerning landslides and severe erosion in areas such as Taman Lai Pau, Taman Delight, Jalan Riam Lama and other locations following heavy rainfall.

“Residents in these areas have waited for a long time for solutions, but the responses they receive often centre on waiting for allocations from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC),” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Ling questioned the delay in addressing these urgent issues, noting that while the state government frequently announces new mega projects, funding to tackle pressing disaster-related problems at the local level continues to be postponed.

He also highlighted the unresolved slope erosion problem at the Rock Cliff Site, which he said had been raised with the relevant authorities several months ago.

“Instead of improvement, the situation there has deteriorated further, making the road unsafe for users. This clearly indicates that no immediate action has been taken,” he said.

According to Ling, landslides and flooding should not be viewed solely as natural disasters, but as the result of negligence and prolonged failure by local authorities to implement comprehensive solutions.

“These incidents reflect a reality where public safety and welfare are no longer treated as a priority, and this complacent attitude is the real cause of the problem,” he added.

Ling urged local councils to expedite maintenance and repair works to prevent further incidents, and called on appointed contractors to conduct regular drain cleaning to ensure proper water flow.

He also stressed the need for a more effective and comprehensive drainage and water management system, pointing out that rapid urban development has placed considerable strain on existing infrastructure.

As a long-term measure, Ling called on the government to formulate and implement a citywide plan to upgrade drainage and water management systems across Miri to reduce the risks of flooding, landslides and other rain-related disasters.

Ling, who is also Sarawak DAP secretary, recently conducted a site visit to the road linking Miri Airport to Taman Delight, where he said no repair works had been carried out apart from the placement of safety cones, raising concerns among road users.