KUCHING: A proposal has been made for Kampung Tengah Sungai in Batu Kawa to change its name.
GETTING FLOOD-READY: Paul (second right) talks to villagers about the possibility of floods in the village.
This is necessary to avoid being mistaken for Kampung Sungai Tengah in Matang.
Kuching Resident’s Office Planning and Information Management Unit administration officer Paul Kawin Pipo explained that the change of name would put an end to mix-ups, particularly for those unfamiliar with the village.
Paul proposed the village be renamed Kampung Tengah Sungai Melayu.
“Possibly Kampung Tengah Sungai Melayu will be a good choice as all the villagers are Malays,” he told reporters during a visit to the village.
According to him, the villagers seemed to agree with the proposal and he hoped that proper signs could be erected to indicate the village’s location.
Meanwhile, Paul disclosed the villagers would soon hold a dialogue with the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), Land and Survey Department, and other relevant authorities.
This, he said, would help to resolve the problems faced by the villagers.
However, he added it would take time for the village to be gazetted because of its location.
During the visit, Paul and his group also suggested a retaining wall be built along the riverbank, particularly along areas prone to erosion.
He singled out an area close to the surau, which needed urgent attention to prevent it from being washed away. “The location of the surau is very close to the river and what worries me is that the water will reach the inside of the surau during floods,” he said.
He also advised villagers to prepare for possible floods, especially during the end of this month.
“All important documents, medicines and other important items should be kept together and the villagers must keep the telephone numbers of the relevant agencies, which are involved in rescue operations,” he pointed out.
On Wednesday, The Borneo Post highlighted the problems faced by the village, which is located a mere three km from Batu Kawa town and has never been gazetted since settlers built houses there in the 1940s.
Kampung Tengah Sungai villagers nearly did not receive any aid or relief funds when floods hit the village last year.
According to village committee chairman Muhammad Juki, the village faced at least three ‘illnesses’ — not being gazetted, not having a village chief and frequently being mistaken as Kampung Sungai Tengah.
“Too frequently, things like goods deliveries meant for our Kampung Tengah Sungai end up in Kampung Sungai Tengah,” he complained on Tuesday.
The following day, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, who is also Batu Kawa assemblyman, Tan Joo Phoi pledged an RM10,000 relief fund for the village, which has a population of about 200 with 28 houses.