BINTULU: Flood mitigation works at Sungai Plan are set to be expedited, with a one-month deadline given to relevant agencies to present and implement a coordinated plan following recent flooding that affected several areas along the river.
The directive was issued by Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing after heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise to about three feet in some locations, prompting on-site visits to several identified “red zone” areas together with the relevant authorities.
“I have instructed all agencies involved to immediately discuss measures to deepen the river channel. A coordination meeting will be held, and a practical improvement plan must be presented within one month,” he said in a statement today (Dec 30).
Tiong said the aim was to ensure tangible results are achieved before Chinese New Year 2026.
He stressed that Sungai Plan must be dredged using excavators and properly cleared to restore its original drainage and flood-retention capacity.
“As the affected land falls under the jurisdiction of multiple authorities, a cross-department task force will be formed involving the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Land and Survey Department, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), and the Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
“One agency will be appointed to lead and coordinate the works, including identifying blockage points, clarifying river reserve boundaries, defining roles and responsibilities, and determining the technical approach for the dredging works,” he said.
Tiong also issued a reminder that any factory or warehouse occupying drainage or river reserves must remove the structures immediately.
Those who fail to cooperate will face enforcement action by the Land and Survey Department, which will verify encroachments on site and take action strictly in accordance with the law, without exception, he said.
“I cannot accept situations where government land is illegally occupied for private gain, drainage is obstructed, floods keep happening, and the public suffers while the government takes the blame,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BDA has already instructed contractors to begin cleaning and clearing drainage channels, with works officially underway.
The clean-up is expected to take about three weeks, although the actual timeline will depend on weather conditions.
Tiong assured that he would continue to closely monitor progress to ensure the works stay on track, improve drainage efficiency, and reduce the risk of sudden flooding.
