MIRI (Nov 29): The Federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has declared its readiness to help resolve persistent flood problems in Miri, particularly those linked to drainage and irrigation systems, on the condition of strong cooperation from local authorities.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu stated this in response to a query from Miri MP Chiew Choon Man during a recent Dewan Rakyat session.
She emphasised that flood-risk control and drainage maintenance are key priorities for the ministry to ensure public wellbeing.
"Local authorities are responsible for maintaining the drainage system, ensuring consistent cleaning, and repairing damaged or non-functioning structures, as mandated by existing legislation, particularly in Sarawak," she said.
A critical guide for these efforts is the Environmentally Friendly Drainage Master Plan (PISMA) for the Miri area.
Prepared by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), this master plan outlines a strategic approach to managing flood risks for the next 10 years.
The plan includes modern drainage design tailored to current conditions and the use of trash traps to mitigate blockages.
The ministry also provides BP1 Development Allocation to local councils for small-scale projects through its Local Government Department.
These funds can be used for infrastructure, public facilities, socioeconomics and safety projects, including drainage upgrades.
Aiman Athirah noted that under Budget 2026, the KPKT had been allocated RM55 million specifically to upgrade drainage systems managed by local councils across the country.
In light of this, local authorities had been reminded to submit their applications for the ministry's consideration.
The deputy minister also urged elected representatives to work closely with their respective local councils to set clear work priorities, ensuring that local issues are addressed more effectively and efficiently.