SIBU (March 26): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is actively working on solutions to address the landslide-affected site at Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya, with no delays in rectifying the issue, said its chairman Clarence Ting.

He stated that the council, together with relevant agencies, convened again today to discuss the matter.

In the initial proposal during the previous meeting, it was suggested for sheet piling to be implemented at the affected site.

However, Ting said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has advised that, given the high cost—approximately RM7 million—it would be more practical to build a new house for the affected residents instead.

“Since sheet piling is the most expensive option, costing about RM7 million, the government thinks it is more sensible to build a new house for the affected residents,” he said during today’s meeting.

He further clarified that the landslide was not caused by a design flaw.

“According to SDMC, Jalan Song-Temalat in Kapit division is still vulnerable to landslides even after they have engaged four consultants.

“Hillside development is not as simple as we think. Such an incident has never happened in Sibu,” he said.

The landslide, which struck on Feb 4, displaced 43 victims from 10 families at Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya 7 and 12.

Since then, they have been staying at the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at Kampung Bahagia Jaya Community Hall.

Also present at the meeting were SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley and SMC secretary Sait Enggang.

KAPIT (March 26): Bukit Goram assemblyman Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat on Monday visited families at Rumah John Raba in Sungai Sesibau here which was badly affected by last week’s floods.

The Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department told a dialogue with the residents that he was unable to return to Kapit to survey the situation as the floods had rendered Jalan Kanowit-Kapit impassable to vehicles

“Tuai Rumah John has requested for funds to purchase a fibre boat and outboard engine for use during floods, and I have agreed to allocate RM10,000 for this purpose.

“I also noticed some of the houses here are flood-damaged and in need of repair. I have instructed by side to compile the relevant information and we will do our best to assist,” he said.

Meanwhile, longhouse chieftain John said the floods started last Thursday and only subsided on Saturday, with the water level over three metres deep.

“Several houses built in the lower-lying areas of the longhouse saw their ground floors fully submerged.

“Those affected either sought shelter with relatives on higher ground, or were evacuated to the Kapit Civic Centre and Bletih Youth Hostel,” he said.

He added that 28 families are residing in the longhouse which is built on higher ground, while 10 are living in houses built in lower-lying areas nearby.

Accompanying Jamit during the visit were Kapit Resident Elvis Didit and district officer Cerisologo Sabut.

MIRI (March 26): Persatuan Belia Miri (PBM) together with Food Aid Sarawak recently distributed 200 food baskets donated by Mubadala Energy to victims of the recent floods here.

The four villages that received the aid were Kampung Wireless, Kampung Pujut Adong, Kampung Pujut Tanjung Batu, and Kampung Pengkalan Lutong.

PBM chairman Matassan Rohani said Mubadala Energy has been actively distributing aid since last year in collaboration with PBM.

“This year, they are extending their assistance to other areas including in Miri, Bintulu and Kuching. Each village received 50 food baskets under this programme,” he said in a statement.

In addition to flood victims, Matassan said aid was also distributed to the Kampung Lereng Bukit landslide victims.

ALOR SETAR: Six districts in Kedah have been identified as being at risk of flash floods during the ongoing transition from the Northeast Monsoon to the Southwest Monsoon, which began yesterday.

Kedah Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt. Col. (PA) Zairil Anuar Zulmuji said the transition phase, expected to last until May 2025, brings thunderstorms and heavy rain, increasing the likelihood of fallen trees and sudden flooding.

“We are on high alert during this period to ensure a swift response to emergencies, such as fallen trees caused by storms and flash floods,“ he said after launching the ‘Op Prihatin 2025’ campaign for the Northern Zone in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration today.

Zairil added that 990 personnel from APM in the state are on standby around the clock to handle emergencies on the ground. Monitoring efforts have also been intensified in flood and storm-prone areas across the six districts.

Speaking on ‘Op Prihatin,‘ scheduled to run from March 28 to April 6, Zairil said APM will conduct patrols, address fallen trees, and respond to road accidents to assist road users facing emergencies.

“We will also deploy drones for aerial monitoring, especially in disaster-prone areas across Kedah, Perlis, and Penang,“ he added.