SIBU: The Federal Government has spent a total of RM268mil on the three phases of the Sibu flood mitigation project, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said in order to continue with the project, the Sarawak government has under the 12th Malaysia Plan approved phase four involving a construction cost of RM120mil.
Phase four, which will be state-funded, covers an area of 618ha in the Bukit Assek area.
Speaking at a press conference after a briefing on the project here yesterday, Fadillah said phase five, which costs RM500mil, is expected to proceed after that.
He said phase five had been pushed forward under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“Sibu is located in a low-lying area with many rivers, such as Batang Rajang and Batang Igan, nearby,” he said.
“One of the challenges besides being located in a peat soil area is that the town is prone to floods.
“The Irrigation and Drainage Department completed phases one and two of the flood mitigation project in 2012 and 2015 respectively at a cost of RM183mil. Phase three was completed in December 2023 at a cost of RM85mil.”
Phase one and two cover 100ha involving residential, commercial areas and schools in Jalan Upper Lanang and the General Operation Force area, with a population of 10,000 people.
Phase three includes Kg Datu, Kg Hilir, Kg Nangka and Kg Datu Baru as well as the commercial area in Jalan Bandong, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg and Jalan Awang Ramli Amit.
Fadillah said the whole project up to phase five, which involves the construction of water pump stations and ponds, is expected to reduce the incidence of flooding.
“Overall when completed, the incidence of flooding would be reduced to protect 100,000 residents in an area of over 2,100ha from flooding, including the main areas in Sibu,” he said.
Separately, he said a study of the Integrated River Basin Management Plan for the Batang Rajang Basin, which started on Sept 1, 2023, would be completed on Feb 28, 2026.
The study, costing RM3.8mil, is meant to develop a river basin to ensure sufficient and clean water supply, reduce the risk of flooding and provide sustainable environmental conservation.
