KUCHING, 12 Feb: Kerajaan Sarawak terus mengorak langkah dalam mempercepatkan pembangunan infrastruktur menerusi kaedah pembiayaan alternatif, sebagai penyelesaian kepada cabaran pembiayaan konvensional yang bergantung kepada peruntukan Rancangan Malaysia.

Timbalan Menteri Infrastruktur dan Pembangunan Pelabuhan Sarawak, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, menegaskan bahawa pendekatan itu bukan sahaja mempercepatkan pelaksanaan projek tetapi juga mengurangkan impak kenaikan kos bahan binaan dan inflasi jangka panjang.

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.