SARAWAK LIVE: floods

See: Let’s not wait for another flash flood before we act

KUCHING: Members of the august House have been urged not to wait for another flash flood in Kuching to occur before realising they have not done anything to resolve or mitigate this problem.

See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang) said flash floods had threatened the lives and properties of urban dwellers, paralysing and incapacitating important public institutions such as the Sarawak General Hospital, schools and even the state police headquarters and Fire and Rescue Department.

“We have lost two precious lives to flash floods in Kuching four years ago. But barely a month ago, there was another news report that a trainee nurse fell into the monsoon drain of strong flowing water. She was lucky her colleague managed to grab her arm in the nick of time,” he said in his debate on the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri’s address yesterday.

See commended Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) for taking steps to plan, design and tender out projects to tackle flash floods in and around Padang Merdeka.

“However, as the Honourable Kuching North City Mayor had said, it requires the joint efforts of all departments and authorities concerned to ensure that the methods and solutions to tackle flash floods are effective. I do earnestly believe that this administration is serious with arresting the problem of flash floods in Kuching city.”

As the state government had approved the Sarawak Urban Storm Water Management Manual (SUStoM) for new development areas as a long term measure to tackle flash flood problem, he hoped a copy of this manual would be made available to all elected representatives.

See also hoped the State Planning Authority and local authorities had the political will to implement the terms and measures contained in the manual.

“Let it not be the case whereby existing good laws and regulations are not enforced. A case in point is Section 23 of the Building Ordinance 1994, whereby local authorities may give landowners and developers to cause proper drains to be constructed or laid for premises that are not properly drained.”

See noted that for the medium term, Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had revealed that it involved upgrading major drain outlets in certain areas, including Sarawak General Hospital (at a cost of RM15 million), Jalan Batu Lintang (RM20 million), Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho (RM25 million), Federal Quarters (RM15 million), Sungai Tabuan dredging works (RM2 million) and Taman Malihah (RM22 million).

“I hope the Honourable Minister will enlighten us in his winding-up speech whether the implementation of these medium term measures are included in the projects that are approved under the first rolling plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan amounting to RM357 million and when can we expect these projects to be tendered out and be completed.”

In noting that flood and flash floods mitigation projects in Sarawak was an area that had been long neglected by the Federation, See said one of the first studies for flood and flash flood mitigation, was completed with the help of experts from the Netherlands in 1985, but the project proposals were shelved.

“If the flood mitigation measures and projects were carried out 30 years back, they would have cost only a fraction of what they will cost us today, and we would not have suffered the losses and damage of flash floods today, not forgetting that the holistic studies had also covered advices on planning of urban development.”

Therefore, See said the state administration must show their commitment to arrest the problems today and to implement the projects to ensure that the future wellbeing of the state and the people were secured.

“We can agree that devolution of power will take time, but the federation must be made to see the urgency of the matters involved.

“We are giving time for those in Putrajaya at our own peril. Our Honourable Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing (Datuk Fatimah Abdullah) had earlier revealed that we have more than 400 schools classified as high risk. That is another of the many areas that speaks of the neglects by the Federation.”- Borneo Post

DAP assemblyman blames flash floods on unmaintained drains

KUCHING: The recent flash flood in the city has prompted re-elected Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei to ask why the local councils did not carry out dredging and cleaning of the drainage system regularly.

Wong, who is state DAP Socialist Youth chief, said local authorities were expected to perform maintenance works including drainage maintenance works regularly. When our people are paying the assessment rate regularly, every six months, the council is duty-bound to carry out the dredging and cleaning of drainage regularly. But this has not been done,” he said yesterday.

According to Wong, the Drainage and Irrigation Department director had on May 20 admitted to the media that one of the main factors for flash floods in the city was blockage of the drainage system, thus, whenever it rained more than 50mm per hour, many places in the city would experience flash floods.

“This proves that my previous statements that the lack of dedication of local authorities (MBKS, MPP and DBKU) and their councillors or members of the management in cleaning and dredging the drains are true.

“The councillors, particularly for the case of MBKS and MPP, are not seen working on the ground. Most of our people do not know who is the councillor in charge of their area. At the end of the day, the complaints on the problems on drainage, rubbish collection, cleanliness, street lights, health all went to the elected representatives.

“This is not a healthy political structure whereby the actual person, such as the councillors, who are responsible for these problems are not asked to be responsible.

During election, Wong added, SUPP candidates particularly would come out to say that they would solve all the basic problems for the people but avoided talking about state and national policies that were haunting the people.

Taking the regular flash flood incident as a measure, he said it was timely for the government to heed DAP’s call for local authorities election.

“We have been usurped of our rights to the third vote that is apart from having rights to vote for our MPs and state assemblymen, we should be returned the rights of choosing our councillors, which we used to have in 1960s.

Wong believed that it is only through local authorities election that the people can force their councillors to be on the ground and be responsible for the problems created by the councils.

“Flash floods in Kuching are a man-made problem. To tackle this problem, we must start with an effective council and working councillors.-Borneo Post

RM260mil federal funds to deepen Sarawak River

KUCHING: The Federal Government has allocated RM260 million for dredging of the Sarawak River for bigger vessels to call at Kuching Port.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the project would be implemented in stages with RM50 million being spent this year.

He looked forward to Kuching Port becoming a greater international port in the future.

Sarawak’s state minister for infrastructure, Michael Manyin, said the Sarawak River could only take vessels of between 4m to 7m draft, which was far below the international standard.

He said once dredging work was completed the river bed would be at a depth of between 12m-14m.

The state government had agreed to meet the RM10 million annual cost of maintenance, he told reporters at a press conference with Liow.

Liow also announced a RM341 million project to improve Mukah Airport into a full-fledged commercial facility to cater for larger aircraft.

He said earthworks had been completed, with the first phase of the project expected to be completed in July this year.

On rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak, Liow said MasWings had been granted a contract extension for another seven years from 2018.

“The Federal Government has approved RM190 million in annual subsidies for the service. The present contract ends in 2017,” he added.

He also said Kuching International Airport would soon have a second approach lighting system for its runway, costing about RM5 million.

An open tender would be called next month and installation would start in August for completion in July next year.

-BERNAMA

Address pressing issues Sarawak faces, PM told

KUCHING: It is hoped that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would not waste the opportunity to do something concrete for Sarawakians during his visit to Sibu this weekend for the national-level Chinese New Year celebration.

The premier has been urged to make substantial federal allocations to the state for its flood relief operations and assistance to expedite the implementation and completion of flood mitigation projects and address the issue of overcrowding at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

Batu Lintang assemblyman and state PKR vice-chairman See Chee How made this call during a press conference at PKR Stampin service centre here yesterday.

“As the prime minister and other VVIPs perform the ‘yee sang’ or prosperity toss at the celebration, he should be reminded that most Sarawakians are not sharing his wishful rhetoric on prosperity.

“Sarawakians are made poorer and suffering the strains of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The persistent neglect and delay in federal allocations to Sarawak for provision of basic amenities and infrastructural development in the state will continue to accelerate Sarawakians’ cynicism and revulsion towards the federal government.

“After the hype of the ‘yee sang’ tossing, I hope the prime minister would come back to reality and address the pressing issues faced by Sarawakians. Don’t just come here to eat and go back,” he said.

See pointed out that Najib should be briefed on the two recent ruinous floods affecting the state capital and its surroundings, and be reminded that the federal government had yet to pledge any financial allocation to the state for its flood relief assistance.

“The State Disaster Relief Committee must be commended for their excellent response in carrying out the evacuation of flood victims and its relief works. I am hopeful the prime minister would make substantial allocation for the committee to beef up its facilities across the state.

“He (Najib) should also take note of the damage to access roads and public facilities and amenities. Although it has not been disclosed, I believe it (the damage) is quite substantial. He must make sure that allocations are there for reconstruction and restoration works. He should also make immediate financial allocation for all flood-affected families.

“It is also crucial for him to make a personal commitment to expedite the implementation, construction and completion of flood mitigation projects for all cities, towns and low-lying areas in Sarawak,” he said.

On the overcrowding at SGH, See proposed for Najib to immediately allocate funds to improve the infrastructural facilities in and around the hospital.

“The proposed multi-storey carpark promised by the government has yet to kick off.Petra Jaya Hospital, which is scheduled for completion by now, is still in its early stage of construction. The Sarawak Heart Centre has not (been able to) alleviate the congestion faced by SGH.

“We really hope that the prime minister would come with material support to address all these problems — not just make more empty promises to Sarawakians,” he said.-Borneo Post

See proposes state cabinet committee on flood mitigation

KUCHING: Sarawak should have a state cabinet committee that focuses on flood mitigation plans and programmes as flooding is a major public concern.

Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, who made the suggestion, said the public, particularly those who live by the rivers and low-lying areas, would become fearful every time it rains continuously for several hours.

“The threats of flash floods and the damage to homes and properties will increasingly

weigh on the people and the government, unless preventive and mitigation measures are promptly deliberated and put in place,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

“The frequent occurrence of flash floods in the state in recent months and the extent of damage caused to the families and state certainly call for a strong political will and immediate actions to resolve this issue.”

See, who is also state PKR vice chairman, said ideally the state cabinet committee on flood mitigation should be headed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

“Unless it is headed by Adenan, I don’t know whether it (flood mitigation plans and programmes) will be expedited and whether it will be seriously considered and completed promptly.”

He added that the committee should also comprise relevant ministers and heads of departments from all relevant ministries, such as resources planning, environment, housing, industrial and land development.

Departments like the Drainage and Irrigation, Public Works, State Planning Authority, Land and Survey and local authorities should also be in the mix.

See opined Adenan should not rely too much on State Disaster Relief Committee chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang as the latter had not been seen at any flood relief efforts during the last two floods in Kuching, Samarahan and Bau.

“We are talking about flood mitigation project and measures to prevent and mitigate flood. If we leave it to Jabu, I’m sure the project will not materialise.”

See stressed that policies and guidelines, particularly for urban development, housing, and the clearing of land and forests in the upstream of cities and towns, riverbanks and within the vicinity of cities and towns should be re-examined, revised and improved due to changing physical landscapes.

Of utmost importance and urgency is formulating and designing drainage master plans for all cities and towns in the state to curb the problems of flash floods.

“The state government should quickly look into developing and improving existing drainage system and devise plans to straighten, deepen, widen and cement the banks and substrates to form canals or monsoon drains in the cities, towns and suburban centres.”

See said flooding in many housing estates and commercial centres had been shown to be

due to poor planning and lack of strategic environmental and physical infrastructural development guidelines for consideration and approval of new building and land development projects, causing natural streams and waterways to be earth filled and diverted, to the detriment of others.

“We seek explanations from the government on the progress of the implementation of the proposed flood mitigation project to divert excess water from upstream of Sarawak River into the Salak River.

“The proposed project, budgeted to cost a hefty RM1.6 billion, to construct a 8.2km diversion canal and a dyke had been raised over the last decades and work was said to have started in 2009. The chief minister should check with the Public Works Department and reveal the progress of this project.”-Borneo Post

Govt urged to review flood-crisis preparedness: Voon

KUCHING: The government should take a relook at its level of preparedness in facing floods, especially in terms of facilities like boats and heavy machinery.

Wanita PKR national vice president Voon Shiak Ni, who made the call, said flood crisis in the state was something foreseeable; hence, relevant facilities should be in place at all times.

“The flood this time happened in many places, but help was lacking. Therefore, the government should look into ways to improve on areas such as providing rescue boats, flood relief centres and facilities for those affected,” she told a press conference here yesterday.

Voon said she was at Paradise Garden (in Batu Kitang) on Saturday night to visit residents who were stranded as the road to their homes was under between three and four feet of flood water.

“Some residents didn’t dare to walk across the water, fearing they could slip into the deep drain. The Civil Defence Department’s response to the residents’ call for help was good, but they lacked facilities such as rescue boats.”

She said the Civil Defence Department initially could not send boats to assist the affected residents as their boats were in Siburan and Padawan to assist the flood victims there.

“When they finally arrived and checked on the water level, they realised their boat could not pass through. In the end, they had to use someone else’s Jeep to ferry all the residents home.”

Voon said what the rescue personnel could do then was to coordinate with the armed forces to use their heavy machinery, such as trucks, to help ferry the people to their houses, considering the housing estate was just next to an army camp.

Nevertheless, she commended the Civil Defence Department personnel for assisting the residents. She also commended members of the crime watch group in the area for disseminating useful information to the residents.

Meanwhile, Voon said she supported SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang’s suggestions of relocating the villagers in Batu Kitang who were badly affected every time flood hits.

“It’s a very good idea. Maybe, one of the best ways is to resettle the villagers in Batu Kitang area, especially those in the old town. The flood there is quite bad, and I think the damage and losses to the families every time there is flood is something beyond repair.

“We were there last night (Saturday night), and we felt their frustrations. We also know resettling the residents may take time. But we want to know how many years it will take and how soon it can be in the pipeline in the development plan for Sarawak?”

In stressing that Batu Kitang had flooding problems for at least the last 20 years, Voon hoped the government could come up with immediate measures to assist the flood victims.

“When we went to the flood relief centres, their demands were on basic things, like floor mat and other personal things. But the sad thing is, every time their things were replaced, they will be damaged when floods happen again.”

Voon opined that deepening the nearby river depended very much on the condition of the river bed, but hoped a solution could be found soon.-Borneo Post