Bintulu: Bintulu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has attributed the severe flooding that affected several areas in Bintulu to flaws in the drainage system and the failure to implement the Sungai Sibiew riverbed project. Tiong, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that these issues prevented excess water from three days and two nights of heavy rain from being effectively discharged, leading to a rapid surge in river levels.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tiong pointed out that the worst-affected areas were those surrounding Sungai Sibiew, a direct consequence of the long-overdue deepening and widening of the riverbed. He stated, “The Sungai Sibiew riverbed project has been nothing more than a proposal for nearly five years with no real progress. This devastating flood should serve as an urgent warning – relevant agencies must take responsibility.”

Tiong has repeatedly emphasised the necessity of deepening the river by at least three to five metres and widening it to 100 metres to accommodate increased rainfall due to climate change. He believes that such measures are crucial to preventing future disasters of this nature.

Additionally, Tiong highlighted the need for deepening the riverbed of Sungai Kemena, which directly connects to the sea. Severe sedimentation has led to its gradual shallowing, making navigation increasingly difficult for boats.

Tiong plans to stress the urgency of this situation during an upcoming meeting at the Resident’s Office on February 10. He will also propose halting the construction of a bridge connecting Taman Jason and Taman Kemena Sutera to avoid disruptions to the riverbed works.

Furthermore, Tiong urged for the expedited relocation of residents living in illegal settlements along both riverbanks. He warned that their continued residence in these areas poses significant safety risks and hampers the necessary river works.