KOTA KINABALU: The Joint Consultative Committee of PAM/ IEM / ACEM/ RISM paid a courtesy call on Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director Ir Ng Chee Hing at its headquarters in Wisma Pertanian on Thursday.
During the visit, a dialogue was held to raise and discuss the many issues with regard to prevention of flood, the MASMA report, and submission requirements by professionals.
While Ar. Victor Wong, chairman of PAM Sabah Chapter commented that the services of an engineer well versed with the MASMA requirement should be engaged right from the onset in preparation of a proposed development plan, Ng advised that the architect and the engineer should arrange for consultation meetings with DID to trash out any possible problem from the beginning, well before submission.
On the professional body’s requests for a conditional approval on the drainage layout and MASMA report so as to facilitate the approval of the development plan by the local authorities, Ng was very supportive of the proposal.
He said that DID would like to help expedite the approval of development plans as much as possible. However, he cautioned that in situations where the drainage issues are more complex, the full details of the MASMA submission is still required by DID, before its recommendation to the local authorities on the approval of the development plan.