Federal govt's lack of concern over KK flood issues disappointing, says Chan

23 Oct 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin expressed utter disappointment in the federal government’s inaction and lack of concern in resolving flood issues that have recurred in the city areas such as Likas, Kolombong, and Inanam.

The Sabah DAP secretary said areas that were previously rarely hit by the flood would now have water entering houses after a rainfall.

To discuss the issue, Chan and several DAP representatives including assemblyman of Luyang Phoong Jin Zhe and Likas Tan Lee Fatt have recently met with Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

There, Chan was made to understand that the Sabah Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has come up with the Likas Barrage Project which cost around RM850 million.

“On my side, I have raised the Likas Barrage Project numerous times in Parliament (both in the main chambers during debate on the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12 and in the Special Chambers) and sought concrete answers as to the project, or any other projects, to prevent and/or alleviate the flash flooding.

“However, the answer that has been given to me in parliament is of non-commitment. I was informed in writing that the Likas Barrage Project is still being studied and a feasibility study will be applied for only RMK-12's Rolling Plan 3 in 2023,” he said in a statement today.

Chan stated that the state government had set up a committee chaired by Bung to look into the matters. The committee would include the Public Works Department (PWD), the DID, the Local Government and Housing Ministry, Kota Kinabalu City Hall’ (DBKK) Town and Regional Planning Department as well as other relevant agencies.

“Both Jeffrey and Bung mentioned that the flash floods are mainly due to climate change. Besides the cause of nature, they also pointed fingers at the human factors - development activities without proper planning.

“I agree with the ‘proper planning’ part of it. About one-third of the Netherlands, a developed country, lies below sea level, but they have managed to plan properly to drain the waters and prevent flooding in their major cities such as Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

“Furthermore, if Kuala Lumpur can properly plan and have the SMART tunnel to drain rainwater, then I am sure something similar can be done in Kota Kinabalu. I am sad at the level of progress achieved,” Chan asserted.