PORTAL RASMI
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
SIBU (March 25): The state government needs to conduct a detailed study into the key causes of floods in the Rajang River basin and implement targeted solutions.
In making this call, Sibu MP Oscar Ling said the current flood control plan here only covers the urban areas, excluding the outskirts area, particularly the West Bank and Salim areas, making the coverage insufficient.
“If Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg aims to transform Sibu into an ‘Amsterdam’, the flood control plan must be expanded,” he said in a press statement.
Ling stated that this year, Sibu has experienced three floods thus far, with the most recent one being dubbed as ‘unprecedented’.
In this regard, he stressed the serious need to examine upstream development, deforestation, and the dredging of bottlenecked river sections.
“The government needs to issue more sand dredging licences as well as establish cooperative system with dredging businesses, where companies can extract sand for free, in exchange for assisting in river dredging.
“I believe this is a win-win strategy and is more sustainable,” he added.
He also noted that dredging the Rajang River should not be a one-time project, but must be conducted periodically and continuously for effective results.
“Past experiences have shown that a single dredging operation is insufficient, as silt accumulated again within months,” he said.
Adding on, Ling stated that the current flood mitigation efforts in Sibu should not stop at the five-phase flood control plan, but must also focus on preserving the Rajang River.
This, he said, includes controlling upstream development and regularly clearing the river channels.
He believes that adopting a ‘sponge city’ concept should be the future direction for Sibu’s urban infrastructure development, and addressing these key areas are crucial to effectively mitigate Sibu’s flooding issues.
Furthermore, Ling was disappointed that the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) appeared to be ‘absent’ during the recent severe floods.
“In flood-stricken areas under their jurisdiction, such as the West Bank, Jalan Apollo and Jalan Ling Kai Cheng areas, there were no visible red-and-white warning tapes to mark hazardous zones.
“Many roads were submerged, making it difficult to distinguish between road and drains.
“SMC and SRDC should always be prepared for flooding, and when it happens, their officers should immediately set up warning signs and barriers to prevent vehicles from accidentally driving into drains,” he said.
On another note, the MP will also continue to pressure the state government to release disaster relief funds to repay the collapsed road and slopes in Rantau Panjang Jaya Lane 7and 12, which were affected by a landslide last Feb 4.
Since then, a total of 43 landslide victims from 10 families had been staying at the evacuation centre at the nearby Kampung Bahagia Jaya Civic Centre.
SIBU (March 25): Pet owners must take proactive steps to protect their animals’ health following the recent floods, as exposure to contaminated water and unsanitary conditions can lead to serious illnesses.
Veterinarian Dr Wesley Hii of Wesley Veterinary Clinic warned that floodwaters often carry harmful bacteria, parasites, and chemicals that pose significant risks to pets.
“Pet owners must ensure their animals have access to clean drinking water. Avoid letting them drink from puddles or floodwater, which may contain disease-causing pathogens. Provide bottled or boiled water instead,” he told The Borneo Post.
He also emphasised food hygiene, advising pet owners to discard any damp or water-damaged pet food to prevent mold and bacterial contamination.
Dr Hii recommended rinsing pets’ limbs and abdomen with clean water and pet-friendly shampoo after outdoor exposure to remove potential contaminants.
“Thoroughly drying their fur is essential to prevent skin infections. Their living space must also be cleaned—wipe floors and pet supplies with diluted bleach or pet-safe disinfectants to eliminate harmful bacteria,” he said.
He highlighted the increased risk of leptospirosis, rabies, and parasite infestations after floods.
“Pet owners should consult a veterinarian about leptospirosis vaccination, as the disease spreads through contaminated water. It is also crucial to maintain flea and tick prevention treatments and keep pets away from stray or wild animals,” he added.
To reduce exposure to infections, he suggested using waterproof boots for dogs during walks and avoiding stagnant water or muddy areas.
He also urged pet owners to monitor their pets for signs of illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or unusual discharge from the eyes or nose.
“If pets show any of these symptoms or have wounds that are not healing, seek veterinary attention immediately to prevent complications,” he stressed.
Beyond physical health, Dr Hii noted that floods could cause stress and anxiety in pets. “Maintaining familiar routines, providing a quiet resting space, and engaging in interactive play can help reduce stress,” he advised.
He also encouraged pet owners to prepare an emergency kit containing pet food, clean water, medications, and vaccination records.
“A post-flood veterinary check-up within one to two weeks is highly recommended to screen for hidden infections or other health issues,” he added.
Dr Hii reminded the public that early intervention and preventive care could significantly reduce health risks for pets.
“Pet owners should take all necessary precautions to protect their animals during this period. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian immediately,” he said.
SEOUL: Sekurang-kurangnya 16 orang maut akibat kebakaran hutan yang melanda wilayah tenggara Korea Selatan.
Agensi berita Yonhap melaporkan, kebakaran yang mula merebak pada Selasa memusnahkan kawasan kejiranan sekali gus memaksa penduduk meninggalkan kediaman masing-masing.
Pihak berkuasa turut memindahkan ribuan banduan dari penjara yang terjejas kerana kebakaran itu.
Pemangku Presiden Korea Selatan, Han Duck-soo, berkata kerajaan akan mengerahkan helikopter pemadam kebakaran serta anggota penyelamat darat untuk mengawal kebakaran yang semakin marak akibat angin kencang dan cuaca kering.
Laporan menyebut, sebahagian mangsa maut ketika cuba menyelamatkan diri, namun gagal apabila kenderaan yang dinaiki mereka terbalik dalam proses pemindahan.
Kebakaran yang mula tercetus pada Sabtu masih belum dapat dikawal sepenuhnya dan telah memusnahkan beberapa kuil purba selain kediaman penduduk setempat.
Sebagai langkah kecemasan, kerajaan mengisytiharkan kawasan-kawasan terjejas sebagai zon bencana khas bagi membolehkan bantuan dan pemulihan segera disalurkan.
KAPIT (March 26): Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Native Customs and Laws) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat handed over the ‘food baskets’, arranged by the Welfare Department, at the Bletih State Complex here on Monday.
The contributions were meant for the villagers of Muhibbah Bletih and Kampung Baru at Jalan Suhuili here, who were adversely affected by the recent floods.
The food baskets were symbolically presented by Jamit to Ketua Kampung Razali Abdullah from Kampung Muhibbah Bletih, while political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Watson Awan Jalai, handed over the items to Ketua Kampung Ahmad Jaraiee from Kampung Baru.
Kapit District officer Cerisologo Sabut, in a statement, said the floods badly affected 26 households, consisting of 149 people, in Kampung Muhibbah; and 56 households in Kampung Baru.
Jamit, meanwhile, thanked the village security and development committees (JKKKs) for working closely with Kapit District Disaster Management Committee and all the leading agencies.
He also thanked the local NGOs for providing help through their donations, meant to help the flood victims.
All agencies and authorities have been urged to immediately mobilise to assist with post-flood management efforts in several affected states, including Johor and Sabah, especially with Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaching.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said such efforts were crucial to help victims clean their homes and alleviate their burden.
“Given the situation in Johor and Sabah, which is gradually improving, all parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector, should come together to ease the hardships faced by flood victims,” said Anwar.
“The disaster has caused damage to property and assets, and even disrupted Aidilfitri preparations.”
This message was conveyed by his senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, during the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) daily briefing yesterday.
Three states — Johor, Sabah and Sarawak — have been hit by flooding since last week, with Johor being the hardesthit state, reporting thousands of evacuees.