Lee Khim Sin: Three Flood Control Projects Underway, Hopes for Completion Within the Year to Alleviate Flooding

(Miri, 21st) – Sarawak Minister of Transport and Senadin State Assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Khim Sin pointed out that there are currently three major drainage and dredging projects in Miri being carried out one after another. Two of them have been completed, while the other started today and is expected to be fully completed by the end of this year, in order to reduce flooding issues.
Lee Khim Sin, during his inspection of the flood control works today, stated that these projects are overseen by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), including: the Ilmu Road retention pond cleaning project near Curtin University, covering an area of 4 hectares at a cost of about RM50,000; the drainage clearing project in the Kebun Nanas area, with a total length of about 5.5 km and a cost of RM41,550; and the main flood discharge channel clearing project with a total length of 12.6 km, costing RM144,720. Among them, the Kebun Nanas area had previously experienced severe flooding, making it a key area for management.
Miri DID Director Zeng Junyun said the cleaning works for the retention pond and pineapple garden area were completed on the 6th of this month, while the main 12.6 km flood discharge channel clearing project launched today is expected to be completed within four months, but they are urging the contractor to speed up the work to finish before December.

Lee further added that since there was flooding last year in the Desa Senadin area, he has asked DID to pay special attention to it to ensure similar incidents are not repeated this year.
He also reminded the Miri City Council to simultaneously strengthen the maintenance of city drains and roadside drainage systems, as blocked residential and roadside drains could also lead to water accumulation and flooding.
"I have once again reminded the city council to ensure the cleaning works are completed before the rainy season arrives. The DID, meanwhile, needs to carry out periodic maintenance and establish a fixed schedule for drainage system cleaning to ensure its long-term operation, so that efforts do not remain as temporary measures only."
It is understood that the total investment for the three projects is about RM250,000. Lee Khim Sin stressed that these measures are important short-term solutions to alleviate flooding and he will work with the city council to ensure that Miri residents are no longer troubled by floods during the rainy season.