KOTA SAMARAHAN: The proposed Phase Two of the Kuching City Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) will be expanded to include the Semariang area, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.
He said the Sarawak government requested the expansion because Phase Two will affect water flow to Semariang.
"We have agreed to the expansion in principle and are now awaiting approval from the Cabinet," he told reporters after witnessing the handover of two completed RTB projects at Masjid Darul Malihah, Kampung Bukit Berangan, here on Monday (April 13).
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the proposed expansion would cost an additional RM120mil, bringing the total cost of Phase Two to RM2.6bil.
It was previously reported that the project includes two new bridges, a barrage, tidal control gate and 6km bypass channel, and is scheduled to be implemented from 2027 to 2033.
The project aims to reduce flood risks in major urban corridors and strengthen the resilience of Kuching's expanding catchment areas.
The two completed projects handed over to the state government today were the Stakan RTB and Sibu RTB Phase Three, which cost RM10mil and RM97.2mil respectively.
Fadillah said the Sibu RTB project would involve two more phases, with Phase Four to be funded by the state government and Phase Five by the Federal Government.
"This is still at the initial stages of study and design. The ministry will support the project proposals once they are submitted so that the flood mitigation plan for Sibu can be completed," he said.
He added that the fourth and fifth phases were estimated to cost RM120mil and RM474mil respectively.
