Uggah: S’wak allocates RM29.6 million to clear rivers statewide to address rural floods

A general view of the Sarawak River in Kuching. – Bernama photo

KUCHING (March 25): The Sarawak government has allocated RM29.6 million to clear clogged rivers in the state, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

He said the allocation approved by the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is meant to address floods in the state’s rural areas.

Uggah said the implementation will be carried soon as possible and in as many rivers as possible.

“But we hope to do what we can before the next monsoon season sets in,” he said following visits to check on progress of several major projects in Spaoh in Betong.

On flash flood occurrences in Kuching and other towns in the state recently, he said this had been discussed with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

He said the flash floods were due to blocked drain systems.

According to him again, there had been suggestions too from the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), which included clearing of the drain systems.

“We are still sorting this out as some of the drains are under the jurisdiction of the DID, some under the Public Works Department (JKR) and others.

“The government hopes to find especially long term solutions besides the short term ones,” he added.

Uggah also said when he was the federal minister of environment, he had managed to implement only one package of the flood mitigation programme in Kuching.

“Since this has not been continued, the impact is not there yet. We are still awaiting for it to implement the rest.

“This flash flood problem is not new but we are taking a different approach to this very complicated issue,” he said.