MUKAH: Upgrading works on the drainage system along Jalan Muhibah and Jalan Kampung Kuala Lama here under the 2025 Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) have been completed and are expected to help reduce flash flood risks in the area.
Tellian state assemblyman, Royston Valentine, said the project served as a short-term mitigation measure to address recurring flash floods, particularly in residential areas around Jalan Muhibah.
He said the project specifications were revised based on the available allocation under the RTP for the Tellian constituency.
“The original specifications involved significant costs, amounting to about RM400,000 solely for the relocation of utility facilities in the area.
“However, the final specifications still offer a much better outcome than the previous situation, with a larger and wider main drain,” he said.
Royston was speaking at the handover of the completed project from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to the Kuala Lama Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) here on Wednesday (Jan 21).
Royston said the project also included the construction of two additional outlets to allow excess rainwater to be discharged more effectively from residential areas, particularly along Jalan Muhibah.
He added that the next step would be to enlarge the drainage outlet beneath Jalan Utama Haji Mohd Pauzi leading to Sungai Kuala Lama, as the existing drainage system serving Kampung Kuala Lama, the Kuala Lama Resettlement Scheme (SPS) and surrounding areas was outdated and undersized.
He assured the issue would be proposed under the Environmentally Friendly Drainage Master Plan (PISMA) study to be implemented through the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) Rolling Plan 1 this year, as a long-term solution to flash flooding in the Mukah Market area and nearby villages.
Following the handover, Royston, together with officers from DID and the Mukah District Office, conducted a site visit around Jalan Muhibah and Kuala Lama to assess the condition of the drainage system along the main road and surrounding areas.
Information gathered during the visit will be used to support the comprehensive implementation of PISMA to improve drainage management and safeguard the wellbeing of Mukah residents.
