Residents submit memo to Premier’s Office seeking halt to Desa Wira flood mitigation project

KUCHING (March 6): The Persatuan Kebajikan Penduduk Taman Desa Bumiko Kuching (PKPDB) has submitted a memorandum to the Sarawak Premier’s Office seeking the immediate suspension of an ongoing drainage and flood mitigation project in Desa Wira, citing safety and transparency concerns.

PKPDB chairperson Dr Chang Li Kuin said the association decided to submit the memorandum after exhausting other avenues to raise their concerns with the relevant authorities and project implementers.

“We have tried to communicate through emails and letters, but to this day we have yet to receive a full report or detailed explanation regarding the project,” she told reporters after handing over the memorandum to representatives of the Premier’s Office, including press secretary Datuk Ambrose Cheng, chief security officer Kaderi Said and administrative officer Awang Abdul Faridz Awang Yusop, at the Satria Pertiwi Complex in Petra Jaya yesterday.

The memorandum calls for the immediate suspension of Phase Two of the project and the convening of a roundtable discussion involving all stakeholders, including technical experts, to review the project comprehensively.

Residents are seeking transparency on the project’s environmental and structural assessments, including any environmental impact studies or technical reports.

“Until today, we are still in the dark. We hope to meet Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to discuss this matter,” Dr Chang said.

Residents are particularly concerned about potential damage to nearby properties and safety implications if construction continues without adequate safeguards.

Clearing works began about a month ago near Lorong 5E, 5F and 5G of Taman Desa Bumiko, including vegetation removal.

Excavation is reportedly underway to create a large retention pond and diversion drain, while foundations are being laid for a water pump installation.

“We fear that extensive excavation without proper protective measures could affect the integrity of the soil,” Dr Chang said, noting that the area sits on unstable peat soil, raising concerns about possible land subsidence and structural damage to nearby houses.

She added that monitoring instruments and protective systems typically used in major excavation projects, such as inclinometers or crack monitoring devices, have not been observed at the site.

“The worst-case scenario would be property damage or even loss of life, especially since this is a residential area with families and children,” she said.

The project is implemented by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), with a main contractor and subcontractor appointed to carry out the works.

Residents received only a brief one-sided briefing from the project proponents on Jan 27, with no further technical details shared since then.

Dr Chang was accompanied by PKPDB secretary Joseph Dagu and executive committee member Wellson Nicholas during the submission.

Joseph highlighted the risks to properties located close to the proposed retention pond, while Wellson suggested authorities consider widening nearby rivers as an alternative flood mitigation measure.

On Feb 10, Dr Chang told a press conference that PKPDB was not opposing the project outright but wanted all engineering, hydrological and environmental assessments to be fully disclosed and independently reviewed before construction proceeds.

“We are not anti-government and we are not against development. What we are asking for is transparency first,” she said, adding that residents are seeking a temporary halt to allow their concerns to be properly addressed.

The concerns raised include flooding risks, water discharge capacity, long-term maintenance, and alleged damage observed during Phase One, including structural cracks and land instability affecting nearby properties.

Residents have also gathered signatures for a petition appealing to the Premier to intervene.