Kpg Simpok, Kpg Ma’ang need RM9.5 mln for flood mitigation

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Dawos listens to a briefing from state Welfare Department officer Josipah Sabas (left) during his visit to Kampung Simpok. At far left is Kampung Simpok village headman John Jinggut.

KUCHING: About RM9.5 million is required to implement the flood mitigation projects in Kampung Simpok and Kampung Ma’ang.

Both villages, the former at Jalan Padawan and latter at Kuching-Serian Road, were among the several villages within the Mambong parliamentary constituency badly affected by the recent flood.

Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit said following his request, the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) had come up with a proposal and costing for the two projects.

He said, based on DID’s estimation, the project at Kampung Simpok would cost about RM5.1 million while the one at Kampung Ma’ang would be about RM4.4 million.

Dawos, who is Mambong MP, said he would submit the proposal to the federal Economic Planning Unit, adding that both would be priority projects for this year.

“These two are urgent projects, which I want it to be implemented this year,” he said.

The project at Kampung Simpok will include the cleaning of Sungai Serin 1 (Sungai Sapug), Sungai Pruman, Sungai Tedon and
Sungai Rugu as well as the construction of bund perimeter and water gate at both banks of Sungai Seri 1; while that of Kampung Ma’ang will include the construction of river wall, ring bund and water gate in Sungai Serin.

Dawos said the projects would benefit some 2,500 people of Kampung Simpok and about 600 (83 families) of Kampung Ma’ang.

“These two villages are among areas most prone to flood because they are situated on fairly low ground along the river bank.

“Flood hits these two villages almost every year bringing suffering and economic losses to the people there,” he said during a site visit to Kampung Simpok on Wednesday.

Kampung Simpok was more badly hit by the recent flood with over 260 out of 300 families evacuated to SK St Peter’s multi-purpose hall.