‘Dredge the Rajang River now’

SIBU: The dredging of the Rajang River should be done now and not wait until the implementation of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

A councillor from Sibu Municipal Council, Chieng Buong Toon, said yesterday this suggestion came from a member of the public.

Chieng concurred with the person that the dredging of the river was a matter of priority and there should not be any more waiting.

According to earlier newspaper reports, the federal government has set aside RM30 million under the 10MP for the dredging of the river.

Chieng said the person who reacted to the reports, said flooding was a regular occurrence in the Rajang basin, which warranted dredging of the Rajang River as part of flood mitigation measures.

The person, he said, expressed conviction that the dredging of the river would to a certain extent reduce the severity of flooding.

“Let the people see their wish fulfilled. Even if dredging may not be effective as a means to address the flooding problem, the government should at least give it a try,” said the member of the public.

Chieng himself suggested that residents in flood-prone areas form their own committees to provide relief to victims during emergencies like flooding and fires.

He said committees of this nature were popular in Japan.

“In my seven years in Japan, I noted that the Japanese had special committees in the respective areas to provide relief aid to victims of natural calamities such as earthquake and floods.

“Perhaps, this should be emulated in Sibu,” he said.


BP August 25, 2010, Wednesday