By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 11: Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has called for stricter enforcement and more organised planning when it comes to development projects in light of the recent floods in the area.
According to Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, developers are not held accountable for not carrying out proper river dredging work, and the drainage systems built do not meet specifications, resulting in ineffective flood management.
“While climate change and rising sea levels have contributed to rising water levels, another major factor is the failure of authorities to supervise development projects, leading to ineffective flood management,” he said in a Facebook post last night (Feb 10).
He said developers must be strictly prohibited from blocking existing rivers during construction projects, as this obstructs natural drainage and prevents rainwater from flowing smoothly to the sea.
In addition, said the federal Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, all existing drainage systems, including large and small canals, must be re-evaluated and upgraded where necessary.
“The disorganised drainage system is a direct result of weak regulation during the approval of construction projects.
“Going forward, stricter enforcement and more organised planning are essential to prevent such issues from recurring in the future,” said Tiong, who is also the assemblyman for Dudong.
Similarly, on Feb 4, Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin called on the authorities to act against developers responsible for clogged waterways, particularly at the Bumi Jaya Industrial Park along the Pujut Bypass, leading to stagnant floodwaters at Kampung Pujut Tanjong Batu.
Lee said despite previously implemented drainage and flood measures in the area, the main storm drain and natural steam had been blocked by a developer, leading to stagnant floodwaters that failed to subside for days. — DayakDaily
