Dr Sim: Proposed Sarawak River Bypass key to long-term flood solution for Batu Kawa and beyond

KUCHING (Jan 12): Flood mitigation efforts along the Sarawak River remain a priority, with the proposed Sarawak River Bypass seen as the ultimate long-term solution to protect riverside communities in Batu Kawa and beyond from recurring floods exacerbated by climate change, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

The Batu Kawah assemblyman said recent visits to Kampung Rantau Panjang and Kampung Sinar Budi Lama in the constituency showed the effectiveness of completed riverbank protection projects, while also highlighting gaps that still need urgent attention.

“Kampung Sinar Budi Lama was the only one during the recent floods that did not need evacuation, thanks to a Sarawak government-funded riverbank protection project completed in 2023.

“The project, costing RM7 million with a ceiling of RM10 million, raised the riverbank by about three feet higher than the river’s water level,” he said in a Facebook post.

He noted that Kampung Rantau Panjang, however, was affected in the later phase of the floods after floodwaters found their way around unprotected sections of the riverbank.

“The RM15 million Phase 1 (of its riverbank protection project), which was completed in 2024, only protected 50 per cent of the village.

“There was also riverbank erosion for the other 50 per cent of the riverbank, which is still without protection,” he said, adding that temporary preventive measures had been carried out by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak following discussions yesterday.

Dr Sim, who is Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said he had requested DID Sarawak to expedite the tender process for Phase 2 of the Kampung Rantau Panjang riverbank protection project, which is funded by the state government with a ceiling cost of RM35 million.

Despite these efforts, he stressed that riverbank protection alone would not be sufficient in the long run.

“Ultimately, for all riverbank protection projects, we still need the Sarawak River Bypass to protect kampungs along the river from Sarawak River overflow due to various factors, especially climate change,” he said, likening the bypass to building a new road to ease traffic congestion.

He also noted that flood mitigation falls under the concurrent jurisdiction of both the federal and Sarawak governments.

He expressed appreciation to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof for securing funding approval for Phase 2 of the Kuching City Flood Mitigation Plan, including the Sarawak River Bypass, with a total allocation of RM2.48 billion.

“The 8km Sungai Sarawak Bypass Channel will benefit riverside communities in Batu Kawa, Matang and Kuching.

“Of this, 2km was completed under Phase 1 when the late Tun Pehin Sri Adenan Satem was the federal minister overseeing DID Malaysia, starting from Sungai Salak River from the South China Sea end,” he said.

Dr Sim said discussions would be held with Fadillah on commencing the next phase from Sarawak River at Batu Kawa instead of Salak River.

“Federal government project, but implementation will be under DID Sarawak between 2027 to 2033,” he added.

Batu Kawa Dr Sim Kui Hian flood mitigation Sarawak River Bypass