SIMUNJAN assemblyman Awla Idris has urged the Sarawak government to swiftly address the recurring landslides and worsening flood conditions in his constituency, describing both as serious threats to public safety and rural development.
He made the call during his speech in support of the motion of appreciation to the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, in the august House today.
Awla pointed to Kampung Gunung Ngeli, a former coal mining site now used for agriculture, as a critical example, noting that it experienced three landslides this year alone on January 30, February 3 and March 2, caused by continuous heavy rainfall and the area’s fragile, weathered soil structure.
“The soil is like a crumbling sand wall, gradually eroded by water. This raises serious concerns about the safety of residents and the long-term stability of the area,” he explained.
He emphasised that the Simunjan District Council lacks the technical and financial resources to manage the issue effectively.
He called on relevant state agencies, including the Public Works Department (JKR), Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG), and Land and Survey Department (JTS), to conduct a comprehensive geotechnical investigation and devise a suitable slope mitigation strategy.
Awla also proposed the creation of a dedicated emergency fund and the deployment of expert support from both state and federal levels to avert future disasters.
“The community is like a strong tree. If its roots are loosened and the soil collapses, the whole trunk weakens,” he said.
“Prompt, coordinated action is essential for ensuring safety and promoting sustainable rural development.”
Turning to his second major concern, Awla highlighted the increasingly severe floods affecting Simunjan and Sadong Jaya, particularly when high tides coincide with prolonged rainfall.
“Floods are no longer seasonal. They are persistent and borderless threats. They do not distinguish between administrative boundaries or ethnic groups,” he said.
He pointed out that the current Simunjan Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) covers only the town centre while leaving out vulnerable areas such as longhouses and villages stretching from Kampung Sungai Buluh to Kampung Ensengei Iban.
“These communities face repeated losses to homes, farmland, roads, and water infrastructure, yet remain excluded from existing mitigation plans,” he said.
Awla urged the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to revise the RTB and include all at-risk areas and proposed solutions such as the construction of levees, retention ponds, natural flow pumping systems, and smart drainage infrastructure in flood-prone zones.
“We must shift from reactive responses to proactive leadership,” he said.
“While floods may not be fully preventable, their impact can be minimised through early, data-driven interventions.”
He concluded by reaffirming his support for inclusive development under the Malaysia MADANI and PCDS 2030 frameworks.
“No village should be left behind. No voice silenced. No citizen should be left struggling in the current of development that flows past them,” he said.
