After low-lying areas repeatedly inundated, Ting wants Sg Lutong Zone B flood mitigation project expedited

MIRI (Jan 23): The relevant authorities have been called on to expedite the Sungai Lutong Zone B flood mitigation project.

Datuk Sebastian Ting said this is necessary in view of recurring flooding affecting low-lying areas in Lutong and the surrounding areas.

“The flood problem has caused significant hardship and property losses to residents and can no longer be allowed to persist. A comprehensive and long-term solution is urgently needed,” he said after meeting with newly-appointed Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Miri divisional engineer Henry Tuah and his officers.

The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister said the RM50 million project is currently at the planning and funding application stage, with relevant agencies preparing technical documentation for submission under the Sarawak government’s development framework.

Based on the briefing, the Sungai Lutong Zone B flood mitigation project will involve the construction of detention ponds and upgrading of drainage systems within the Sungai Lutong B catchment area.

The affected sub-catchments include SK Lutong, Kampung Sealine, Kampung Senadin Jaya, Miri Crude Oil Terminal, and Desa Senadin, with the objective of enhancing overall drainage capacity and mitigating long-standing flood issues.

DID revealed that the project is expected to be opened for public tender within the year, subject to approvals, with an estimated implementation period of 60 months upon commencement.

Ting noted that climate change had led to more frequent extreme rainfall events and flash floods, with several low-lying areas in Miri, particularly Lutong and Riam, repeatedly affected in recent years.

He said the overall project scope and cost may be adjusted as the flood mitigation works are integrated with other infrastructure developments, including the gas supply network, to ensure system-wide efficiency and long-term effectiveness.

Separately, Ting was briefed on five proposed coastal protection projects planned under federal allocations with an estimated combined cost of RM50 million.

They are at Pantai Lutong, Pantai Kampung Bungai, Pantai Peliau Bungai, Kampung Kuala Sibuti, Pantai Bakam coastal protection project spanning 0.40kilometre.

DID added that the pre-qualification advertisement for the coastal protection projects closed on Jan 8, with projects currently at various stages of technical and administrative evaluation.

flood mitigation lead onsite Sebastian Ting Sungai Lutong Zone B