KUCHING, Jan 12: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has urged the state government to look into dredging some sections of Kemena River to ease travel of fishing boats.
The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president requested the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) to look into matter and resolve the river mouth problem affecting the fishing community.
“The importance of the fishing industry to our local economy, the fishing vessels themselves are being hindered from easily traversing the river mouth.
“Whether going out or coming back, the boats often have to wait for the high tide in order to return to port safely,” he said in a statement.
Tiong also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for allocating another RM200 million to address the flash flood situation in Bintulu.
“The chief minister had approved around RM60 million as a first phase to resolve the most affected areas – dubbed as the ‘black areas’.
“Now, he has agreed to grant another RM200 million to be allocated over the next four years, RM50 million per year to improve the Bintulu drainage system and dredge the river,” he said.
Tiong said it is high time for the state government to resolve flood problems in Bintulu.
“Once again, I thank the chief minister for granting this crucial support in order to mitigate the flash flood issue,” he added. — DayakDaily
