OFFICIAL PORTAL
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
KUCHING (Feb 10): The recent floods that hit Kampung Tebakang Hilir in Serian had been described by the villagers as the worst to strike in the last 11 years.
Roslan Tarik, 60, claimed that the floodwater level reached over six feet high at its height, as he recounted the anxious moments when water from nearby Kayan River gushed into his house.
“It was the worst flood since 2014. The water came in very fast and there was no time to move the car.
“Thankfully the floods receded after three days,” he said in an Information Department (Japen) Sarawak report.
Meanwhile, Sufian Arshad, 58, said his house was almost submerged as it continued to rain heavily at the time.
“By 10am, it (floodwater level) was waist-high. Our family saved what was necessary. Cars, (and) motorcycles were parked on the bridge because the water level was at shoulder-height in the evening,” he said.
Fellow villager Ramli Tosen, 70, hoped that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies could go to the ground and help the flood victims who were adversely affected.
“Thank you to the NGOs that have come forward to help the flood victims, and we hope that more parties out there would come in to help.
“Some villagers did not move to the temporary evacuation centres, because they were looking after their homes and properties,” he said.
The villagers were met after the presentation of aid from members of Kelab Belia Inspirasi Bandaraya Kuching, who came to visit the village on Sunday.
Club chairman Abang Affandy Abang Rosli said 50 members took part in the charity drive.
“Apart from providing support to the flood victims in the Serian area, we intend to conduct business and youth leadership courses, as well as carry out social work in the community, so as to benefit the youths,” he said.
BINTULU (Feb 10): Efforts are being intensified to speed up waste clearance across residential areas and streets in Bintulu, said Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He said given the sheer volume of waste, failure to clear it promptly may lead to foul odours and even potential health risks.
Due to manpower shortage at the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), he said he had swiftly coordinated with the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Persatuan Persahabatan Zong Ho and other volunteer organisations to mobilise teams.
“Therefore the volunteer teams will deploy lorries, excavators and other equipment to improve waste disposal efficiency.
“I urge all residents to cooperate by promptly clearing and placing any remaining household waste at designated collection points,” he said in a statement.
This, he added, will ensure the cleanup operation is carried out with maximum efficiency, restoring Bintulu to its clean and orderly state as soon as possible.
“Today, I also personally visited various locations to assess the situation. Many streets are still piled with flood debris that has yet to be properly cleared, and all these issues have been documented,” he said.
According to Tiong, he had received numerous complaints from the public regarding the inadequate handling of post-disaster cleanup.
“I completely understand everyone’s emotions at this moment. After enduring a devastating flood, you are now faced with the overwhelming task of post-disaster cleanup, mounting piles of rubbish, and unsatisfactory sanitary conditions.
“I sincerely ask for your patience, as this matter is being closely monitored and expedited. I fully understand your predicament and challenges,” Tiong said.
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.
SELANGAU (Feb 10): Schools that were affected by floods in Tamin constituency will be given the best possible assistance to ensure smooth running of matters related to education, said Christopher Gira Sambang.
The Tamin assemblyman identified SK Nanga Kua, SK Nanga Selangau and SK Pelugau as among the schools severely affected by the floods.
“As the elected representative in the area, I would like to request urgent assistance for the schools.
“I have raised the issue of the schools affected by the flood in Tamin with the relevant parties.
“I have even discussed it with the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Anuar Rapaee and Selangau district education officer to find a solution to the problem,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Gira said Selangau district education office has already submitted a list of properties that were damaged.
He added an application to repair the damaged buildings at the affected schools has also been submitted to the state Education Department.
SHAH ALAM - Pembatalan projek tebatan banjir bernilai RM7 bilion yang dihentikan serta-merta pada 6 Disember 2022 menunjukkan keputusan kurang matang di bawah pimpinan Kerajaan Madani.
Timbalan Presiden Pas, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man berkata, keputusan membatalkan projek berkenaan mengundang persoalan apabila alasan penjimatan sebanyak RM2 bilion selepas enam projek tebatan banjir ditamatkan sedangkan ia masih belum bermula ketika itu.
“Di bawah pimpinan bekas Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, 40 projek tebatan banjir seluruh negara menggunakan peruntukan luar bajet (off-budget) RM15 bilion.
“Peliknya, hari ini Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengarahkan Perbendaharaan dan Kementerian Ekonomi supaya memberi kelonggaran bagi mempercepatkan peruntukan yang diperlukan selepas beliau mengarahkan projek berkenaan dibatalkan.
Sebelum ini, Sinar Harian melaporkan Anwar mengarahkan projek tebatan banjir diberi kelonggaran Perbendaharaan Malaysia agar pelaksanaanya dapat dipercepatkan.
Berucap di hadapan warga Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM), beliau berkata, ia melibatkan peruntukan segera dan proses saringan awal (pre queue) yang lebih cepat.
Tambah Tuan Ibrahim ketika menjawat jawatan Menteri Alam Sekitar dan Air, beliau pernah mengingatkan negara akan mengalami kerugian lebih besar jika projek berkenaan ditunda.
“Hari ini terbukti telahan saya benar apabila dilaporkan negara mengalami nilai kerugian akibat banjir pada 2023 berjumlah RM755.4 juta atau 0.04 peratus berbanding Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK).
“Sudahlah beras tempatan pun susah untuk didapati di pasaran, pengeluaran hasil padi pula terjejas dengan bencana banjir,” katanya lagi.
Beliau menambah, banjir terbaharu di Sabah dan Sarawak menambahkan lagi penderitaan rakyat selepas Kedah, Kelantan dan Terengganu alami banjir buruk pada akhir 2024.
Lebih mengejutkan, selepas lewat tiga tahun Perdana Menteri baru menyedari kepentingan projek tebatan banjir yang pernah dibatalkan sebelum ini.
“Jika beliau tersedar dari awal, tidak perlulah beliau menelefon Ketua Pengarah Unit Penyelarasan Pelaksanaan (ICU) hingga ke tengah malam seperti dilaporkan akhbar hari ini,” katanya.