by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 2: Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Sarawak and Federal Governments have allocated RM576 million for 26 coastal erosion protection projects across the State, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said.
A total of RM738 million has been allocated to Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Sarawak (DID Sarawak) to implement seven riverbank erosion protection projects, one feasibility study, as well as river maintenance programme, which includes river clearing and rehabilitation works of which all seven projects will be completed in year 2028.
At the same time, Dr Rundi said, proposals to address the erosion issue in several kampungs under the Kalaka constituency have also been submitted for implementation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
During his ministerial winding-up speech at the Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today, Dr Rundi noted that this project covers Kampung Melango, Kampung Baru Hilir, Kampung Melango Lama Hulu, Kampung Melango Lama Tengah, as well as Kampung Kupang, and the proposal is currently pending approval.
Meanwhile, under 12MP, he said, to date, five coastal erosion protection projects have been completed, one project is under construction, and twenty projects are at the planning stage.
“Upon full implementation, these projects are expected to protect approximately 26km of coastline, benefiting 38,000 rakyat,” he said.
In addition, RM40 million has been approved for five rivermouth dredging projects in Kuching, Samarahan, and Limbang (covering Sematan, Buntal, Bako, Sebuyau, and Limbang), whereby one project has been completed, one is under construction, and three remain in the planning stage.
“These works are expected to benefit approximately 2,000 fishermen,” he added.
For the river programme, Dr Rundi said, “The implementation of the study and riverbank protection projects are expected to benefit more than 24 villages, with an estimated population of approximately 11,000 rakyat residing along riverbanks throughout Sarawak.”
He also highlighted upcoming projects, including the proposed 1.9-kilometre Riverbank Protection Works at Bakong-Sunga, Sri Aman. The detailed design has been completed, with tendering expected in the third quarter of 2026.
Aside from that, he said, the Proposed River Bank Protection project and Other Associated Works at Beladin, Pusa District, Betong Division, with a project ceiling of RM26 million, is currently at the design stage and is expected to be tendered in the fourth quarter of 2026. – DayakDaily
