Dr Sim (front, fourth left) witnesses the handover of the Letter of Award by Ahmad Denney (third left) to the contractor.

KUCHING (Nov 28): The Sarawak government has officially begun the construction of a third detention pond in Desa Wira, Batu Kawa with a total contract cost of RM14.5 million.

According to a statement, the project is expected to be completed within 20 months and is aimed to enhance the efficiency of the local drainage system, thus alleviating the long-standing flood issues in the area.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is the Batu Kawah assemblyman, recently witnessed the handover of the Letter of Award by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak Director Datu Ir Ts Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi to the contractor.

The Desa Wira detention pond, covering an area of approximately five acres, is designed to hold over 30,000 cubic meters of water which is the equivalent capacity of 12,000 water tankers, comparable to the size of 60 detached houses or 250 strata apartments.

Construction is scheduled to begin Nov 25 this year and is expected to be completed by July 24, 2025.

This initiative came following the government’s initial launch of two other detention ponds in Batu Kawa, at the MJC New Township and the Pine Square commercial area.

The MJC New Township detention pond, costing RM19.88 million, is projected to be completed by May 2026.

The Pine Square detention pond, with a budget of RM22.5 million, on the other hand, is scheduled for completion in Nov 2026.

Dr Sim highlighted that the Desa Wira detention pond is a vital component of the Phase 1 Desa Wira or Kampung Sinar Budi Baru flood mitigation plan, valued at RM20 million.

Phase 2 of the flood mitigation project with an estimated budget of RM40 million, he disclosed, is expected to open for tender next year.

Commenting further, Dr Sim acknowledged that Desa Wira, being a low-lying area undergoing rapid development, has long been plagued by severe flooding during heavy rains.

“Addressing this issue requires a systematic and comprehensive approach, rather than isolated upgrades or standalone projects,” he said in the statement.

Dr Sim also emphasised that a combination of internal drain upgrades, external drainage expansion and the construction of detention ponds is crucial to effectively mitigate flood risks.

“The Sarawak government is committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents while supporting sustainable economic development in the region through these integrated drainage and flood mitigation initiatives,” he said.