KUCHING (Feb 4): Sebuyau District’s drainage and irrigation infrastructure must be reviewed to ensure it can effectively manage water flow, particularly from large oil palm plantations near villages and longhouses, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi.

The Utility and Telecommunication Minister also called on private plantations to contribute to the effort.

“The relevant private oil palm plantations must also bear responsibility for the cost of constructing a more effective drainage and irrigation system, in addition to government allocations. This includes the number of tidal DID (Department of Irrigation and Drainage) gates that need to be built.

“The government may also need to review policies on drainage and irrigation requirements for large plantations, not only in Sebuyau but across Sarawak, particularly in areas where water flows through villages and longhouses,” he said in a statement following his visit yesterday to temporary evacuation centres (PPS) housing flood victims in Sebuyau.

The Sebuyau assemblyman said Dewan Pembangunan Sebuyau and three other community halls were being used as PPS for 538 flood victims displaced by heavy rainfall and inland water overflow.

“These victims are from Kampung Stika, Kampung Pantu Plaie, Kampung Lubok Meranti, Kampung Lumut, Kampung Arus Iban, Kampung Terusan, Kampung Skitong, Kampung Bajong, Kampung Sagu, and Kampung Nap.

“I had the opportunity to visit all four PPS and distribute food baskets to the affected residents,” he said.

The other community halls serving as PPS are Dewan Masyarakat Lutong Sebangan, Dewan Masyarakat Arus Melayu, and Dewan Masyarakat Bajong Ili.

“All displaced residents at these four PPS receive meals four times a day, in addition to food baskets. Among those affected were young children, including a one-month-old infant,” he said.

He noted that Kampung Kakus Ensika residents had not been evacuated despite floodwaters submerging access roads and the surrounding areas, as the longhouse and several houses nearby remained habitable, although only accessible by lorries, four-wheel drives, and small boats.

“I have also delivered food baskets to Tuai Rumah Maramat Lalat for the 150 residents of Kampung Kakus Ensika,” he added.