Ling: Miri flash floods reflect planning, infrastructure failures
by Jacqueline Raphael · Borneo Post OnlineMIRI (Jan 10): The recurring flash floods affecting many parts of Miri should not be viewed purely as natural disasters, but rather as a reflection of shortcomings in town planning and infrastructure, said Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak secretary Alan Ling.
Ling said flash floods have become increasingly frequent and are a growing concern for residents, particularly during prolonged downpours lasting several hours.
He said he visited several badly affected residential and commercial areas on Friday to better understand the situation on the ground.
“Residents in some of these areas told me they have lived there for 10 to 20 years, and previously even two days of continuous rain would not cause flooding.
“However, in recent years, floodwaters would suddenly rush into their houses, causing distress and financial losses,” he said in a press statement on Saturday.
Ling called on the relevant authorities to disclose the overall sewerage and drainage system blueprint, which he said is a fundamental requirement in town planning.
“Development is necessary, but basic functional drainage systems must be in place and capable of withstanding heavy downpours through smooth water flow and effective discharge, especially during periods of intense rain,” he stressed.
He also pointed out that he observed stagnant water in some main drains along major roads even during sunny weather, indicating serious underlying problems that require urgent attention.
“This could be due to poorly coordinated drainage systems, blockages caused by indiscriminate waste disposal, or a lack of regular maintenance and cleaning by appointed contractors,” he said.
Ling emphasised that while township expansion and population growth are inevitable, authorities responsible for approving developments must prioritise public interest by ensuring effective and coordinated infrastructure, particularly proper drainage systems, are constructed to support such growth.
He urged local councils and relevant agencies to take their responsibilities seriously by implementing effective mechanisms to oversee and monitor overall planning, noting that flash floods have become too frequent and are preventable with proper effort.
“People feel distressed and helpless, yet some elected representatives only show up to take photos and conduct public relations exercises, without any concrete planning to prevent the same incidents from recurring,” Ling quoted one affected resident as saying.
He further criticised the slow disbursement of monetary aid and allocations from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee for repairing collapsed roads and landslide-prone areas.
“People are forced to wait for years and continue commuting on dangerous stretches of road. This shows a lack of urgency in dealing with emergency situations such as flash floods,” he added.