MIRI: Implementing the Sarawak coastal erosion and flood mitigation project, which has been approved with an allocation of RM316 million, will protect 45,000 coastal residents from flooding and coastal erosion, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said the project would also cover 6,000 hectares of agricultural land and 300 hectares of industrial areas.

"The project's specific packages, determined by location, will be finalised by the Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) before the procurement process starts. Implementation is expected to begin in 2025 and will involve protective measures along a 40km coastline,” he explained.

He said this to reporters while visiting the federal project and handing over the completed DID project to the Sarawak government in Lutong on Sunday (July 27).

Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, noted that the project would be carried out at 17 locations, including Kampung Siru Melayu and Rambungan Stoh in Kuching; Pantai Kampung Semarang, Rumah Ek - Rumah Betty, Pantai Kampung Beting Maro, and Pantai Maludam (Betong); Jalan Mukah-Oya (Kampung Judan), Kampung Baru Rajang, Kampung Tekajong and Sebako Sedi in Mukah.

The project also includes Pantai Sungai Bangat (Limbang); Pantai Lutong, Bungai Bekenu, Peliau Bungai, Kampung Kuala Sibuti and Pantai Bakam (Miri); as well as a project in Samarahan and Kampung Seberang Sebuyau in Sebuyau.

Fadillah said that under the development expenditure for the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Federal Government, through the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra), has approved 46 projects related to water resources, water supply, and sewerage services in Sarawak, with a total cost of RM6bil.

He said the total allocation approved for RP4 under the 12MP in 2024 for Sarawak alone amounts to RM299mil.

"The department's breakdown is as follows: DID will oversee 21 projects with an allocation of RM78mil in direct grants; the Water Supply Division will manage 13 projects with RM140.8mil in loans; and the Sewerage Service Department will handle 12 projects with RM80mil in loans,” he said.

Fadillah and Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin also visited the Sungai Miri Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB).

The RTB project, valued at RM25.6mil, has been underway since October 2023 and is expected to be completed by October 2025. This project, covering 1,100 hectares, aims to protect approximately 12,000 residents in the surrounding area from flood risks.

At the event, Fadillah also witnessed the handover of five completed projects by Petra, totalling RM52mil, through the DID to the Sarawak government.

The projects include three RTBs and two coastal erosion mitigation projects: RTB Kampung Bako Resettlement in Kuching; RTB Kampung Sebemban Batang Sadong Basin; RTB Bintulu, Sungai Kemena Basin; a coastal erosion mitigation project in Kampung Kuala Hilir Oya (Mukah); and the Sarawak river estuaries conservation project at Sungai Sematan estuary (Kuching).

With the completion of the three RTBs, 3,500 residents will be protected from flooding. Meanwhile, the two coastal erosion projects will benefit nearly 11,000 residents and fishermen by mitigating the risks of flooding and coastal erosion. – Bernama