MIRI (Dec 10): Flood mitigation initiatives, drainage upgrades, maintenance works and inter-agency coordination must be urgently reviewed to address recurring flood problems in several parts of Miri, said Chiew Choon Man.

In a statement, the Miri MP expressed deep concern that a single night of heavy rain had once again caused flooding in multiple areas across the city.

“This clearly shows that something is not right, and that we have not fully learned from the serious floods that struck earlier this year. The fear and trauma among the people are real, and today’s incident has reignited that anxiety for many families,” he said.

Chiew noted that flooding reported in areas such as Kampung Sealine, as well as along several roads in Tudan and Jalan Miri-Bypass, should not have occurred in a city that had already experienced a major flood episode earlier this year.

He said he had repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament, including during the recent sitting, stressing the need for concrete and effective measures to prevent a recurrence.

“We have been assured at various levels that actions and works have been carried out. However, what happened today shows that whatever has been done is still insufficient to protect Miri from flooding.

“The people deserve honest answers and tangible results, not merely assurances,” he said.

Chiew added that he would be assessing the effectiveness of flood mitigation works undertaken by the relevant departments and agencies.

On assistance for flood victims, he said his service centre had begun extending help to affected families, including the distribution of food aid and essential items.

“My team is also gathering more detailed information from the affected areas so that we can better coordinate support and escalate urgent needs to the relevant authorities where necessary,” he said.

KUCHING (Dec 10): A drainage upgrading project at Jalan Kuching Ranger Depo located in front of the Kota Sentosa Library has been completed, marking a major step in addressing long-standing flood and drainage issues in the area.

The project, implemented under the 2023 Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) with an allocation of RM300,000, involved the upgrading of about 300 metres of roadside drainage infrastructure to mitigate flash flooding, water overflow and soil erosion affecting nearby commercial and residential areas.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said the completion of the project would bring significant benefits to residents, road users and surrounding community facilities.

“For years, heavy rainfall resulted in frequent flooding and inconvenience in front of the Kota Sentosa Library and nearby areas. This upgraded drainage system is an important infrastructure improvement that enhances safety and resilience,” he said in a press statement.

He expressed appreciation to the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) and the appointed contractor for completing the works according to specifications and within the revised timeframe.

Yap noted that allocations under the Sarawak government’s RTP continued to play a crucial role in resolving practical, everyday infrastructure issues faced by local communities.

“As the Kota Sentosa assemblyman, my priority is to ensure every sen of RTP funding is used effectively for the benefit of the people. This project reflects our commitment to addressing real problems on the ground and delivering meaningful improvements,” he said.

He also thanked residents, shop owners and road users for their patience throughout the construction period and assured that more small-scale but high-impact projects would continue to be implemented across Kota Sentosa.

Meanwhile, on Monday, three additional RTP projects under the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) were approved, with Letters of Award handed over to contractors for drainage and road upgrading works.

The projects include the upgrading of drainage at Lorong Sungai Tapang 4 by Eastline Synergy Resources (RM500,000), drainage upgrading at Lorong Sungai Tapang 9 by Syarikat Salur Berkat (RM100,000), and road upgrading works at Kampung Temedak by Faes Enterprise (RM40,000).

Yap said the major drainage works at Lorong Sungai Tapang 4 are expected to resolve recurring flash flood issues caused by ageing and inadequate infrastructure, while improvements at Lorong Sungai Tapang 9 will strengthen the drainage network, reduce overflow risks and improve environmental cleanliness.

The Kampung Temedak road upgrade, he added, will enhance accessibility and safety for villagers, particularly during the wet season.

He stressed that the projects were initiated based on feedback received from residents through regular walkabouts, community dialogues and engagement sessions, and reaffirmed his commitment to working with the MPP, community leaders and residents to expedite further infrastructure improvements throughout Kota Sentosa.

MIRI (Dec 10): The teachers at SMK Suai have gone the extra mile to ensure that all 22 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates from the school, stranded by floodwaters at their longhouses, could reach school to sit for their examinations.

Heavy rain since Monday night had submerged the surrounding areas and access routes, leaving students unable to travel.

The school’s senior assistant for Form 6, Wong Ling Ing, said that the teachers coordinated efforts to fetch the affected students for the Geography paper scheduled yesterday morning.

“Yes, I am waiting for two more SPM candidates taking the Geography paper today.

“Once they arrive, we will send them straight to school. Earlier this morning, we managed to bring one student back,” she said when met early Tuesday.

One student was temporarily placed at SMK Bakong to ease travel to the examination centre amidst the flooded routes.

Wong added that the tachers would continue deploying to various locations this week to ensure all students sit for their exams.

Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, who is Bekenu assemblywoman, also visited the area to inspect flood-affected villages.

SETIAP tahun pasti antara kita mengimpikan satu percutian yang mampu memberikan ketenangan. Tidak kiralah sama ada percutian itu di dalam negara atau di luar Malaysia.

Namun tahun ini mungkin antara kita terpaksa ‘mengorbankan’ impian bercuti dek kerana hukum alam apabila ada antara negara-negara terutama di Asia Tenggara kini dilanda cuaca ekstrem tidak menentu.

Tidak perlu melihat jauh, negara-negara jiran kita terpaksa berdepan dengan episod duka apabila Thailand dan Indonesia mengalami banjir besar dan tanah runtuh selain negeri utara iaitu Perlis turut mengalami nasib serupa.

Bulan lalu sahaja, kita dikejutkan dengan banjir besar yang melanda Hatyai, Thailand apabila sebanyak 105 mayat dijumpai sepanjang tempoh lima hari kejadian banjir yang melanda kawasan bandar itu pada bulan lalu.

Jurucakap Pusat Operasi Kecemasan Banjir (Focec) Selatan Thai, Siripong Angkasakulkiat berkata, jumlah itu dilaporkan oleh Unit Sains Forensik Polis Wilayah.

Katanya, setakat ini, sebanyak 85 mayat menjalani beberapa proses termasuk bedah siasat, manakala lebih 20 lagi masih dalam siasatan.

Akibat banjir di Hatyai itu juga, rakyat Malaysia turut terkena tempias apabila kenderaan-kenderaan mereka yang dibawa masuk ke wilayah itu ditenggelami air termasuk bas-bas Malaysia yang membawa pelancong.

Kata beliau, hal ini kerana sifat semula jadi atmosfera yang amat sensitif kepada kekacauan kecil, menyebabkan kondisi-kondisi atmosfera yang lebih kurang, namun kejadian-kejadian yang terjadi boleh berlaku berbeza.

“Bagi orang ramai yang tidak mempunyai akses kepada sumber-sumber untuk meramal kejadian cuaca ekstrem yang bakal berlaku, kita sebenarnya boleh melindungi kita dengan melengkapkan ilmu pengetahuan berkenaan corak iklim di tempat kita tinggal ataupun bakal melawat.

“Contohnya, kita semua tahu corak iklim di Pantai Timur Semanjung julat hujannya lebih tinggi menjelang hujung tahun.

“Walaupun pengetahuan ini tidak akan memberitahu kita pada hari apa atau masa bila hujan lebat akan turun tetapi ianya boleh menyebabkan risiko bahawa kita mungkin boleh terkena dengan cabaran cuaca ekstrem,” ujar beliau.

Mengulas lanjut, walaupun ada sesetengah mungkin berada di tempat kurang berisiko dilanda cuaca ekstrem, ia tidak seharusnya dipandang mudah.

“Kita tidak boleh menolak hukum alam tetapi kita boleh menjauhinya dengan sentiasa peka terhadap nasihat dan amaran yang dikeluarkan oleh pihak berkuasa seperti Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia dan bukannya daripada sumber tidak sahih di media sosial.

“Tidak salah untuk mempercayai ramalan sumber terbuka, namun harus berhati-hati kerana bimbang imformasi yang diterima, ditokok tambah dengan imaginasi apatah lagi dunia moden sekarang terdedah dengan kandungan berasaskan kecerdasan buatan (AI),” katanya.