By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 5: About 55,000 cubic metres of mud and organic waste have built up behind the breakwater at the Kampung Batu 1 Coastal Erosion Control Project in Kuala Baram, disrupting fishermen’s boat movements and prompting immediate dredging works expected to begin as early as next week.
Minister for Transport Sarawak (MOTS) and Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the sedimentation has significantly affected access for local fishing boats, especially during the monsoon season.
He said the issue was confirmed following a site visit and a special meeting at the Miri Division office of the Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) today.
“While the breakwater has successfully addressed flooding and large waves that previously washed debris onto the road, the sedimentation behind the structure has now become a continuing challenge, particularly during the monsoon,” he said, as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
Lee further said DID Sarawak has secured funding and instructed DID Miri Division to call for quotations to appoint a new contractor, with cleaning and dredging works expected to commence once the contract is awarded.
As a temporary measure over the past year, DID Sarawak has carried out periodic cleaning works to minimise disruption to fishermen’s activities.
For long-term solutions, Lee said two options have been proposed by DID — relocating the existing groyne structure, or reclaiming the sedimented area and constructing a new, more suitable access route for fishermen’s boats.
“The villagers and the fishing community have been briefed on both proposals and have been given two weeks to discuss before a final decision is made,” he added.
In addition, Lee said flood mitigation efforts in several parts of Miri have shown positive results, with the retention pond at Desa Senadin helping to significantly reduce water levels.
He also commended DID, Miri City Council (MCC) and the Public Works Department (JKR) for ongoing drain and ditch cleaning works in residential and commercial areas.
Lee stressed the need for close inter-agency cooperation to ensure drainage systems function effectively, especially during the rainy season and periods of high tide.
He also urged stricter enforcement against illegal dumping, including the use of mobile closed-circuit television (CCTV) under the Smart City initiative, and called on the public to utilise available waste disposal services, particularly ahead of the festive season.
Also present were DID Sarawak director Datu Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi, along with senior officers from JKR and MCC. – DayakDaily
