Fadillah (fifth left) at phase 3 of flood mitigation project’s site at Pump Station No. 8, Sungai Beranggau, Jalan Kampung Nangka. – Photo by Peter Boon

SIBU (Oct 6): Phase 5 of Sibu Flood Mitigation Project is estimated to cost almost RM500 million, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister said upon the completion of all five phases, the project will protect almost 100,000 residents here from floods.

“Phase 5 (of Sibu Flood Mitigation Project) has been put been forward, but in the Fifth Rolling Plan, we didn’t get the approval. We hope to include it in the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). The estimated cost is nearly RM500 million.

“When fully completed (phase 1 to 5), the project will reduce the risks of flooding and protect almost 100,000 residents, as well as key areas such as Sibu town centre, villages and various assets including commercial, industrial, and public facilities including schools and so on.

“This means we can reduce the risks of flooding in Sibu,” he told a press conference after a working visit to the site of Phase 3 of Sibu Flood Mitigation Project here today.

Earlier, Fadillah said phases 1 and 2 of flood mitigation project were completed in 2012 and 2015 at a cost of RM183 million, while phase 3 was completed on Dec 1, 2023, costing RM85 million.

“There is also phase 4, which will be funded by the Sarawak government and has been approved. The design is complete and hopefully, by next year, the implementation will be carried out. It will cost RM120 million.”

He mentioned that in addition to the physical project, there is an ongoing study on the Rajang and Igan rivers.

“The objective of the study, expected to be completed in 2025 and 2026, is for us to conduct a hydrology survey, and to ensure clean rivers, as they are a source of water supply.

“And at the same time, we can also look at the flood mitigation project as a whole. So, whatever recommendations in time to come for long term action will depend on the results of the study that will be carried out later.

“That is, it is hoped that by 2025 or 2026, we will be able to see the results of this study and the actions we will take to ensure, first of all, a cleaner river that can become a source of water supply.

“At the same time, we will manage the water so that it does not cause flooding in the Sibu area. These are all the plans being carried out in Sibu.”