Village folk live in fear of houses getting flooded

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MIRI: More than 200 households in Kampung Api, Lutong are living in constant fear of having their houses submerged and swept away by waves.

CONCERNED: Dr Chan (centre) in discussion with the residents of Kampung Api in Lutong.

CONCERNED: Dr Chan (centre) in discussion with the residents of Kampung Api in Lutong.

The over 1,000 residents living in the squatter colony fronting the sea at Lutong are particularly worried when high tide occurs at night, causing the sea level to rise and submerge low-lying areas.

“Some areas could be submerged up to the knee-level of an adult, making it hard and dangerous for children. Some are trapped in their houses because they cannot move out. We have to piggy back our children from our houses to higher ground,” a resident

told Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan yesterday.

According to him, the problem worsens when the high tide coincides with the monsoon season, stranding them for hours as it takes quite some time for the water to ebb, and the sea water also causes damage to their vehicles, furniture and electrical goods.

“We are scared that something like tsunami would happen to us here as we are living near the sea. Please help and look into our problem which is becoming more serious lately,” he pleaded.

Dr Chan, accompanied by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Piasau branch secretary Cr Koh Ek Chong, yesterday visited two squatter colonies, namely Kampung Merikan and Kampung Api to look into their problems and needs.

During the visit, representatives from both areas requested for a proper drainage system, plank walks and road improvement.

In reply, Dr Chan advised that they move to low-cost housing projects or be resettled elsewhere, adding that building a flood barrier would not be effective as the high tide occurs very often.

Dr Chan said to help alleviate their problems, he  would talk to Minister of Housing and Urban Development Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg to give priority to residents of Kampung Api to purchase low cost houses in Tudan, adding that he would also propose they be given an affordable payment scheme.

The residents also welcomed the proposal to resettle them in other places.

To reduce the impact caused by flash floods, Dr Chan mentioned that the city council would look into the possibility of providing both areas with proper drainage.

On another matter, Dr Chan said he was puzzled that many residents from both areas were not aware of the ‘E-Kasih’ programme launched by the government to assist the hardcore poor.

“I was surprised that ‘E-Kasih’ has not reached here. I think the people here need the assistance very much. I will go to the Welfare Department and ask them to start the programme here,” said Dr Chan.

On birth certificates and MyKad, he hoped that the National Registration Department would help out through their mobile registration unit.

At the same time, Dr Chan urged residents of Kampung Merikan to re-organise or re-arrange their houses so that their village could be gazetted as a proper kampung.

“I have asked Land and Survey Department to look into this and will be meeting the Chief Minister on the matter. What I want from the residents is to cooperate and work together among themselves to reorganise their area to support their request.”