SERIAN – Communities across Sarawak have been urged to strengthen their readiness for floods, as the state government continues to reinforce local emergency response structures.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, visited several Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) in Serian Division to assess the welfare of displaced residents and review the facilities provided.
Among the centres inspected were the Kampung Lintang Baru Multipurpose Hall PPS in Siburan, SJK Chung Hua Batu 29 Multipurpose Hall PPS in Siburan, and Ranchan Community Hall PPS in Serian. At Kampung Lintang Baru, 29 households comprising 116 individuals were sheltered.
Meanwhile, SJK Chung Hua Batu 29 housed 18 households with 65 victims, all from Kampung Lintang Baru. Ranchan Community Hall PPS accommodated 26 households with 59 evacuees from Kampung Slabi Empurung, Kampung Slabi Plaman, and Kampung Ranchan.
Uggah explained that evacuations are conducted flexibly, depending on conditions on the ground. In some cases, centres themselves were affected by flooding, requiring victims to be relocated to safer facilities.
“The decision is made according to the current situation. We cannot stipulate that a village must be evacuated to a certain PPS. The important thing is that all parties are always ready and alert 24 hours a day,” he said.
He praised the swift action of the SDMC and Divisional Disaster Management Committee, noting that residents were moved as early as 3 am to avoid worsening conditions.
“I contacted the Resident as early as 5 am and was informed that the evacuation had been carried out as early as 3 am. This shows the level of preparedness of the SDMC team, who are always responsive to information and complaints from the public,” he added.
The Deputy Premier reminded villagers to report rising water levels immediately rather than waiting until homes are severely inundated. “Do not wait until the water rises to the roof of the house. At that point, the situation is already too dangerous,” he stressed.
He also highlighted the role of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which has been established in several districts including Krokong, Bau.
CERT teams train residents to react quickly in emergencies, while the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) provide immediate food supplies when PPS resources are not yet fully available. Uggah said these initiatives are crucial, particularly in remote areas where communication barriers may delay government assistance.
On financial support, Uggah clarified that residents must move to PPS to qualify for wang ehsan assistance. “If they do not move, they are not eligible to receive wang ehsan assistance. However, if their houses are flooded or at risk, they must move for safety,” he explained.
The visit also ensured that food, facilities, and overall management at PPS centres were satisfactory, allowing victims to remain comfortable despite the challenges.
Accompanying Uggah were Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development and Tarat Assemblyman Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Bukit Semuja Assemblyman John Ilus, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit Director Abdul Wahab Rahim, Serian Division Resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph, Siburan District Officer Ranum Bari, Serian District Officer Enting Nyami, Serian District Police Chief Superintendent Freddy Bian Stanislaus Bian, and representatives from the Serian Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
