By William Isau
SIBU, Oct 6: Phase 5 of the Sibu Flood Mitigation Project, which will cost RM500 million, has been slated under the 13th Malaysia Plan’s (13MP) rolling plan
According to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the final phase of the project is expected to minimise the incidence of flooding in the affected area.
He said that the first three phases of the project, costing RM268 million, were completed in 2015 (Phase 1 and 2 worth RM83 million) and December 2023 (Phase 3 worth RM85 million).
The Petra Jaya MP said to continue with the project, the Sarawak government, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), approved Phase Four, involving a construction cost of RM120 million covering an area of 618 hectares in the Bukit Assek area.
“Once completed, the incidence of flooding would be reduced to protect 100,000 residents in an area of over 2,100 hectares, including the main areas in Sibu, which include commercial and industrial areas together with infrastructure facilities, schools, and so on,” he said during a briefing on the project today.
Fadillah elaborated that Sibu is in a low-lying area with many rivers, such as Batang Rajang and Batang Igan, in addition to peat soil areas, making the town prone to flooding.
Phases 1 and 2 cover an area of 100 hectares, which includes residential and commercial areas and schools in Jalan Upper Lanang and the General Operation Force area, with a total residence of 10,000 people.
Phase 3 was to protect 15,000 residents in Kampung Datu, Kampung Hilir, Kampung Nangka, and Kampung Datu Baru and the commercial area in Jalan Bandong, Jalan Tun Abang Hj Openg, and Jalan Awang Ramli Amit. — DayakDaily
