By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, Dec 11: Bintulu MP Dato Seri Tiong King Sing has called for an approved bridge project linking Taman Kemena Sutera and Taman Jason to be reviewed following the local residents’ concern on its potential impact on the planned deepening and widening of Sungai Sebiew.
He said the deepening and widening of Sungai Sebiew to tackle flash flood issues in the areas, has been under discussion since 2019, yet there has been no progress despite years of delay.
“However, the authorities’ decision to approve a bridge project at such a critical juncture has come as a shocking blow to local residents.
“The immediate priority should be completing the resettlement of residents from illegal settlements along both sides of the river to make way for the deepening and widening project.
“Unfortunately, the resettlement process has been hindered by bureaucratic delays and a lackadaisical attitude among departments, leaving residents deeply disappointed,” he said in a statement today.
He further said he had raised the residents’ concern during the 3rd Bintulu Development Committee Meeting held at Bintulu Resident Office on Dec 9.
Following this, he said a special meeting must be convened in January 2025 to address and resolve all obstacles to the Sungai Sebiew project, adding that clear deadlines must be established to expedite the resettlement process as efficiently as possible.
“The Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) must urgently produce a master plan for the resettlement project, detailing timelines, construction progress, rental or purchase costs, and other relevant information to ensure a smooth and transparent relocation process,” he stated.
At the same time, he urged the relevant agencies, including the BDA, Public Works Department (JKR) and Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to carefully review the bridge project of which he believed that the current bridge design may obstruct future riverbed maintenance work.
“Additionally, the project must prioritise community needs, ensuring it benefits a broad section of society rather than a small group of residents. Community engagement is a prerequisite for implementing any development plan,” he stressed. — DayakDaily
