THE state government is urged to implement a hydrography survey to assess river depth and sedimentation from upstream to Kuala Sungai Sebiew and Kuala Kemena.
Iskandar Turkee (GPS-Jepak) said the survey is vital to identify causes of flooding and to formulate short- and long-term solutions.
He said the findings could support efforts such as river dredging, flood retention ponds, and drainage system upgrades in Bintulu.
Other proposals include building more monsoon drains in densely populated areas and relocating residents in flood-prone zones.
“On January 29, 2025, Bintulu Division was hit by an extraordinary flood that crippled daily activities in the town.
“While natural factors played a role, we believe there were other contributing elements to the disaster.
“Therefore, I would like to propose several risk management approaches to address the issues mentioned,” he said.
He said this when debating in support of the motion of appreciation to the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s speech in the august House today.
Iskandar also stressed the importance of uninterrupted power supply for petrol stations and communication towers during floods.
He suggested that electricity for these facilities should be provided on a standalone basis, not shared with other users.
Additionally, he proposed that substations be built on elevated ground to prevent power disruptions during flood events.
“This would ensure that rescue operations can continue and victims can still communicate in flood-affected areas,” he added.
To improve rural communication, he suggested using satellite technology like Starlink, powered by solar energy when needed.
Iskandar also proposed the establishment of a Smart Data Utility Bank to consolidate essential infrastructure records across Sarawak.
This would, he said, include detailed data on electricity cables, substations, water and gas pipelines, telecommunication towers, and fibre optics.
He added that such data is crucial to support faster, more systematic disaster response by relevant departments and agencies.
