The lack of a comprehensive flood mitigation solution continues to leave residents vulnerable to recurring floods, said Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, expressing concern that the Bintulu Flood Mitigation Plan remains only partially implemented.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture said Bintulu was once again hit by flooding on Monday following prolonged heavy rainfall, affecting numerous residential and commercial areas.
He said flooding in the town is no longer an isolated incident but a long-standing issue that has yet to be effectively resolved, resulting in repeated losses and hardship for the community.
Tiong said he recently attended the final Bintulu Divisional Development Committee (DDC) meeting of the year, where the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) briefed attendees on Phase Two of the Bintulu Flood Mitigation Plan.
He noted that the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA) had approved several flood mitigation upgrade projects during a meeting in March, involving SJK Sebiew, Taman Jason, Gem Park, Taman Desa Damai, and the Traffic Police Station.
According to him, proposed measures at SJK Sebiew include the construction of a flood detention pond and upgrades to the drainage system. In Taman Jason, the main drain has been identified as insufficient in capacity and requires expansion and infrastructure improvements.
Gem Park, he said, needs the construction of bunds and a pumping system, while flood mitigation works at the Traffic Police Station — which sits at a lower elevation than surrounding buildings — would involve the installation of cut-off drains, bund walls, and pumping facilities to prevent water accumulation.
Tiong also highlighted public concerns that poorly integrated or improperly executed projects could increase overall flood pressure.
“There are fears that if these facilities fail to function as intended, the knock-on effects could worsen flooding in other areas,” he said.
He stressed that a key unresolved issue remains the lack of approval for dredging works along Sungai Sebiew, largely due to the absence of suitable relocation sites for squatters living along the riverbanks.
Although the SPA has instructed the DID to conduct detailed drainage studies to improve the flow capacity of Sungai Sebiew, Sungai Sebatang, and Sungai Plan, Tiong said more decisive action is needed.
He called for additional measures, including straightening and deepening river channels, to significantly enhance drainage capacity.
While welcoming the approval of the five projects, Tiong cautioned that they alone are insufficient to resolve Bintulu’s wider flooding problem.
“The crux of the matter is Sungai Sebiew. This project would have the greatest impact on flooding, yet it has still not been approved. Without addressing this core issue, the overall effectiveness of flood mitigation efforts will remain limited,” he said.
He added that no new proposal for Sungai Sebiew was presented at the meeting, prompting him to request that the DID prepare a fresh proposal. Tiong also pledged to personally raise the matter with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for urgent approval.
“This is an issue that must be resolved. I will bring the relevant documents to meet the Premier. We cannot allow the people to continue living in fear whenever it rains,” he said, adding that river sections that can be deepened immediately should be addressed to reduce current flood risks.
Tiong also criticised the repeated reliance on outdated plans.
“Without new proposals, immediate deepening and widening works, and comprehensive strengthening of river structures, flooding will continue to recur,” he said.
He pointed out that the resettlement of squatters along both banks of Sungai Sebiew has remained unresolved for five years, describing it as a core issue that must be addressed in any flood mitigation plan.
In addition, he raised concerns that land originally reserved for river engineering works has since been converted into residential or private land, urging authorities to address the issue decisively.
“The DID has agreed on the need to prepare a new proposal,” he said, expressing hope that all relevant projects can begin soon and be properly implemented so that residents of Bintulu can finally be spared from recurring flood-related hardship.
