KOTA Sentosa Assemblyman, Wilfred Yap Sau Sin, has urged the state government to fast-track flood mitigation efforts in vulnerable areas and take firm action against the rising issue of copper theft.
Speaking during a debate in support of the motion of appreciation for the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s address in the august House on Thursday, Yap highlighted two pressing concerns.
Addressing the recurring flash floods in the Stampin Resettlement Scheme and Taman Happy Valley, he stressed the urgent need to commence the long-awaited drainage upgrades.
“Although funding for these flood mitigation projects has been approved, no physical work has begun.
“Residents have suffered severe flooding for years, resulting in damage to homes, vehicles and livelihoods,” he said.
Yap called on the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to prioritise these essential works, and provide a clear timeline for completion, emphasising that the affected communities could not endure another monsoon season unprotected.
On the growing problem of copper theft, Yap pointed out that stolen wiring and cables were disrupting public infrastructure and causing costly repairs.
“Sarawak does not have legal copper mining operations, so scrap copper in the market likely comes from stolen public utilities such as power lines and telecommunication cables,” he explained.
He warned that second-hand copper dealers inadvertently fuelled the crime by providing a market for stolen materials and urged the government to consider banning such businesses if enforcement remained weak to close this loophole.
“Theft-related vandalism delays development projects, raises costs and deters investment.
“Sarawak must safeguard its infrastructure to ensure continued progress,” he said.
