Abang Johari (centre) speaks to the residents of Kpg Assyakirin.
BINTULU: A sum of RM200 million will be used for the dredging of Sungai Sebiew and Sungai Sebatang here.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg told this to reporters during his working visit to Kampung Assyakirin Phase 1 here yesterday, saying the dredging works will be carried out under the 12th Malaysia Plan within five years.
“That means we will give allocation of about RM50 million a year to dredge Sg Sebiew and Sg Sebatang,” he said.
According to him, the decision was made following his meeting earlier with the relevant agencies to discuss on the flood mitigation projects, especially at the flood-prone areas in Bintulu.
He said from the meeting, they have identified eight areas that need improvement in their drainage system including in Kampung Assyakirin and Kpg Kemunting that will cost over RM50 million.
Among the projects proposed are RTB (Flood Mitigation Project) Kpg Assyakirin, improvement work to Sg Sebab at Kpg Kemunting, two units of standby generator sets and monitoring system at RTB Bintulu, construction of a detention pond at Universiti Putra Malaysia, improvement of Sg Plan (Kidurong avenue), clearing and de-silting of Sg Sepegang and construction RC drain at Grandmet Industry.
“I have set up a special committee to tackle flood problems in Bintulu, chaired by Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki together with BDA (Bintulu Development Authority), Economic Planning Unit, Chief Minister’s Department and DID (Department of Irrigation and Drainage),” the Chief Minister said.
He informed that DID will be the implementing agency to carry out the dredging of Sg Sebiew and Sg Sebatang including other flood mitigation projects in Bintulu.
Present during the visit were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, BDA deputy chairman Haidar Khan Asghar Khan, Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat and local community leaders.