KOTA SAMARAHAN: The proposed Phase Two of the Kuching City Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) will be expanded to include the Semariang area for better flood control measures, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.
“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 yesterday.
Fadillah said the proposed expansion would cost an additional RM120mil, bringing the total cost of the Kuching RTB Phase Two to RM2.6bil.
It was previously reported that the Kuching RTB Phase Two project includes two new bridges, a barrage, a tidal control gate, and a 6km bypass channel. It 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 Sarawak government were the RM10mil Stakan RTB and RM97.2mil Sibu RTB Phase Three.
Meanwhile, Fadillah said his ministry was still studying alternative business models for water management to reduce losses from non-revenue water (NRW).
Fadillah said it was important to look at the NRW issue holistically, including the tariffs to be imposed under the new business model.
“Ultimately, the tariffs will be paid by the people, so this is something we need to consider carefully,” he said.
Fadillah said the national NRW rate averaged 38.4%, although it was higher in some states.
For states with an NRW rate above 40%, he said the Federal Government allocated grants for replacing old pipes and improving water distribution systems.
“As for states whose NRW rate is below 40%, they will invest first in their water infrastructure, and the Federal Government will provide matching grants once the projects are completed, based on the amount of savings they achieve,” he said.
