By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 20: Long-standing flooding problems and safety risks in Kota Sentosa are set to be addressed with the rollout of two Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) projects worth a combined RM450,000.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap visited two project sites in the constituency this morning to mark the handover of Letters of Award (LOA), with the visits broadcast via a Facebook livestream.
The larger project, under RTP 2026, was awarded to Spring Rain Construction, involving the upgrading of drainage and pedestrian walkways at the back lane of BDC Lorong D8A, Taman Satria Jaya, with a contract sum of RM350,000.
Wee said the area had faced persistent drainage issues for years, with water levels rising significantly during high tide and heavy rain, posing risks to nearby residents.
He revealed that several crocodiles had recently been sighted in the vicinity, heightening safety concerns, particularly for children.
“When the water level rises, we are worried that children may fall into the drain.
“There are also crocodiles spotted here, so we are putting up warning signs and will install guard rails to improve safety,” he said.
Meanwhile, a second project under RTP 2025, valued at RM100,000 and awarded to Syarikat Langit Cerah, will provide new parking facilities and guard rails at Lorong 1, in front of the dewan and Surau Al-Mukhlis at Kampung Stutong Melayu.
The project is expected to ease congestion and improve accessibility for residents in the area.
Yap said the flooding problem in BDC is linked to an interconnected drainage system, including concealed culverts that channel water across several areas, contributing to repeated overflows, especially in nearby Lorong 2.
“Previously, the water flow was not clear, and every time it rained, there would be flooding. These works are being carried out in stages as funding becomes available,” he said.
Taking aim at critics, Yap stressed that resolving local issues requires more than highlighting problems publicly, but securing funding through proper channels and working with implementing agencies.
“You cannot just issue statements or point fingers and expect problems to be solved. There are processes — you need funding, official correspondence, and coordination with agencies to deliver results,” he said.
He added that elected representatives, including those within the federal system, have multiple avenues to obtain funding if they are serious about addressing issues on the ground.
Wee echoed the sentiment, saying local councils operate within financial constraints and rely on allocations such as RTP to carry out larger infrastructure works.
“We have heard enough talk over the years. What people want to see are results and how their problems are actually solved,” he said. — DayakDaily
