SIBU: Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew is pleased to note that one of the ideas he had put forward – the Trans-Borneo Railway during the last 12th Malaysia Plan that was tabled in Parliament in September 2021 – has been taken up.
In his debate speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), tabled in Parliament recently, he said the Minister of Transport has announced a RM7-million consultancy study for the project.
“I thank the Ministry and the Federal Government for this progress. However, I have two follow-up questions.
“How long will the study take? Will there be any engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders on the ground, and is there any allocation for this project under the 13MP?
“Given its transformative potential, early funding for preliminary works should be considered,” he said in a press statement on Thursday
Lau, who also touched on flood mitigation in Sungai Bidut, the west bank of Sibu, explained that over 120 years ago, under the rule of the Second White Rajah Charles Brooke, the Government of Sarawak began developing the Rajang River Basin into a major food-producing region.
He explained that the area between the Rajang, Igan and Lebaan Rivers, centred around Sungai Bidut, had been identified as a key agricultural zone.
“It soon became known as the food basket of Sarawak, covering several thousand acres. But over the last 30 to 40 years, frequent and worsening flooding has plagued this area.
“Today, vegetable farms are flooded every time it rains heavily, especially during high tides.
“The cause is clear: bunds built in the 1970s have not been upgraded, floodgates are in poor condition, and siltation at the mouths of small rivers and drains has not been addressed regularly,” he added.
Stating that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has submitted a flood mitigation proposal for Sungai Bidut, he relayed that the objective was to protect this area from flood by carrying out infrastructure works such as bunds around the area and installing flood gates at intervals.
He pointed out that if the project was carried out successfully, it would make the area agriculturally productive again, and would open up more land for agriculture.
According to him, the estimated cost of this project is RM58 million, worthy of every ringgit spent as it will deliver returns manifold.
“I look forward to asking the relevant Minister whether this proposal has reached the top decision-making levels or otherwise, and would it be included and approved under the 13MP,” Lau remarked.
