By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 2: Remedial works are underway to restore an earth drain at the Borneo Garden Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) Red Line construction site after a recurring blockage raised concerns over possible water backflow if left unresolved.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said the affected earth drain serves as a key drainage channel for rainwater from Borneo Garden and surrounding areas before discharging through a culvert across Jalan Lapangan Terbang and flowing onward to Lorong Lapangan Terbang 5.
Any obstruction along this route, he said, could disrupt water flow, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
“In 2025, residents had previously raised the issue of blocked drainage to my attention as well as to the contractor involved. Following these complaints, corrective action was taken and the problem was successfully resolved.
“However, sometime in November or early December 2025, the contractor again laid three steel pipes across the same earth drain, which once more obstructed the free flow of water from Borneo Garden and neighbouring areas,” he said in a statement today.
Following renewed feedback from residents, Yap conducted a site inspection together with Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd officers, including Senior Engineer (Civil) Radin Muhammad Norqayyum, to assess the situation on the ground.
During the inspection, Sarawak Metro briefed Yap on the remedial measures currently being implemented to remove the obstruction and restore the drain to its proper function.
Yap stressed that construction activities must not compromise existing drainage systems or inconvenience nearby residents.
“While we fully support the implementation of the ART project as a major public transport infrastructure for Kuching, all works must be carried out responsibly. Drainage systems must remain functional at all times,” he added.
Yap also expressed appreciation to Sarawak Metro for its responsiveness in addressing the issue and acknowledged the proactive role played by Radin and his team in monitoring the situation.
He further thanked residents for their vigilance and assured them that the progress of the remedial works would continue to be closely monitored until a permanent and satisfactory solution is achieved. – DayakDaily
