BINTULU: A comprehensive flood mitigation master plan for Bintulu requires an estimated RM2 billion, with Federal Government support needed to help deliver a long-term response to recurring flooding.
The integrated approach would bring flood mitigation works under a coordinated framework, rather than relying on separate projects at individual locations. Isolated interventions have been insufficient to address the area’s wider flooding problems.
Three flood mitigation projects, carrying a combined allocation of RM53 million, have already been initiated. One has been completed, while the remaining two are still under way.
While these projects address flood mitigation needs at individual locations, a systematic programme guided by a master plan is needed to tackle the problem more comprehensively. The aim is to ensure that flood mitigation infrastructure is developed in a well-planned and effective manner across Bintulu.
The estimated RM2 billion requirement highlights the scale of investment involved in that longer-term effort. Support and cooperation from the Federal Government are necessary to enable implementation, given the substantial funding required.
Meanwhile, flooding in Bukit Orang is also receiving attention from the relevant authorities, with studies under way to identify appropriate improvement measures.
Bintulu’s role as one of the nation’s key industrial and economic hubs adds significance to the need for more comprehensive flood protection. The objectives extend beyond reducing flood risks to ensuring residents’ safety, protecting residential areas and safeguarding the continuity of local economic activities.
Sustained attention and support from the relevant parties are vital to accelerate the implementation of a long-term solution to Bintulu’s recurring flooding problems. â Sarawak Daily
