SIBU: Local Member of Parliament, Oscar Ling Chai Yew, has suggested that the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) could temporarily raise the two flood-prone sections of Ling Kai Cheng Road with gravel to allow vehicles to pass through and alleviate the severe traffic congestion.
Ling said that based on his observation, the two flooded sections of Ling Kai Cheng Road are not very long, and temporarily filling them with gravel would allow vehicles to pass, addressing the urgent need.
“Once the floods subside, the SMC could pave the sections with tar to resolve the issue of flooding permanently,” he stated in a statement today (Jan 15).
Ling highlighted that Ling Kai Cheng Road has a very high usage rate, especially in easing the traffic congestion in the Nang Sang and Ulu Sungai Merah areas.
If Ling Kai Cheng Road is affected by flooding or other reasons, he pointed out that it severely impacts the residents’ access to and from areas like Ulu Sungai Merah and Rantau Panjang.
He also praised the proactive role played by the Sibu police and Civil Defence Force during the floods in helping to ease traffic flow and ensure the safety of affected residents.
Regarding the recurring problem of Rajang River backflow, Ling believed that the Sarawak government must conduct a thorough investigation and develop solutions.
This, he stated, includes considering opening the Rejang River dredging project to maintain river flow through continuous sand dredging and re-evaluating the yet to be finished flood mitigation plan to ensure it meets current requirements.
Ling noted that the flood mitigation project here has yet to be completed, with the fourth phase still pending.
He emphasised the need to assess whether the existing flood mitigation plan remains viable, given the changing environment and rising river levels.
“This is to ensure that the Sarawak Premier’s frequently emphasised “Amsterdam Plan for Sibu” can truly be realised,” Ling added.
