KUCHING: A pilot project is being implemented to maintain damaged roads in Baram area, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said that the local contractors are being appointed to conduct the repair works.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said a study was conducted which highlighted the need for improvements in the current road maintenance approach with a focus on long-term solutions.
“We found that the approach we are using now needs improvement. We need to find a better way so that maintenance will be more proper.
“So, we will try to repair damaged infrastructure as soon as possible so that when the monsoon period comes, there will be fewer problems,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after the PBB 16th Triennial General Meeting (TGM) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday.
Uggah, who is also the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, also disclosed the closure of the Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) in the state.
“The last one, there were three (PPS) that house evacuees of landslides. The other PPS centres have been closed. Most of them have been shut down,” he said.
When asked if this meant the disaster was officially over, he urged caution.
“Please don’t say ‘over’. We pray that it won’t happen again. SDMC remains on standby (for any eventuality) because we are still in the monsoon period until March,” he said.
However, he added that the weather remains unpredictable and can sometimes bring unexpected conditions, as seen in Bintulu.
“That’s why we are restocking supplies and mobilising our machinery to prepare for any situation.
“Apart from rehabilitation programmes to help flood victims, covering damages to houses, roads, and other affected areas are being done,” he said.
On the financial aid for flood victims, Uggah confirmed that the RM1,000 assistance will be distributed as usual.
“We will channel it through the District Office and they will identify the recipients. We will transfer it directly to the victims’ accounts or to the head of the household,” he said.
