BINTULU: Village and community leaders (KMKK), particularly longhouse chiefs, must prioritise strategic settlement planning by verifying land status and site suitability before embarking on any longhouse construction.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this is crucial to avoid future disaster risks and safety concerns.
He said constructing homes without meticulous planning—especially in low-lying areas near riverbanks—exposes residents to the threat of flooding and other unforeseen incidents.
Dr Rundi said that every proposed housing project should be referred to the District Office to ensure the land’s status and suitability are officially vetted before construction commences.
“This is of paramount importance; we must ensure that houses are not built in high-risk areas, which ultimately creates avoidable hardships for the residents themselves,” he said during the presentation ceremony for the Minor Rural Project (MRP) grants for the Kemena constituency, held at the Bintulu Division Agriculture Department recently.
Dr Rundi, who is also Kemena assemblyman emphasised the necessity of community cooperation and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as vital measures to mitigate the impact of disasters, which have become increasingly frequent in recent times.
“A structured approach and a shift in the community’s mindset are essential, particularly when making decisions regarding settlements and housing construction,” he added.
During the event, 20 recipients were awarded grants totalling RM352,000 under the final phase of the 2025 MRP disbursement for the Kemena constituency.
