MIRI (Feb 10): The federal government must expedite the rollout of the Lutong Beach protection project to mitigate the worsening erosion affecting the coastal road here, said Datuk Sebastian Ting.

The Piasau assemblyman warned that further delays could lead to severe damage to Lutong’s Jalan Pantai and nearby infrastructure.

“While a RM45 million long-term mitigation project has been approved, its tender process only closed on Jan 31, leaving uncertainty over when construction will actually begin,” he told a press conference here today.

Also present was Miri mayor Adam Yii, who is Pujut assemblyman.

Recognising the urgency, Ting said he wrote to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof on Jan 16, appealing for immediate federal intervention.

The state Transport Deputy Minister added he again reached out to Fadillah on Sunday night to request for the early release of emergency funds allocated for the protection of the area.

“In response, Fadillah has instructed for the emergency protection work to start, though funding details have yet to be confirmed,” said Ting.

He added that he has also requested RM5 million for emergency measures but is still awaiting an official decision from Putrajaya.

“The situation is extremely serious. If we wait for the usual process, the road could be completely washed away.”

The erosion, worsened by high tides and rough waves, has already caused parts of the coastline to collapse, raising serious safety concerns.

As a safety precaution, Ting also reached out to Miri police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, requesting that warning signs be placed at the affected area to alert the public.

Meanwhile, The Borneo Post visited the site and found the beach erosion to be severe, with clear signs of erosion right up to the road, posing an immediate risk to both motorists and nearby residents.

The situation has been exacerbated by the current monsoon season.