KUALA LUMPUR – The devastating floods in Bintulu have prompted differing views on their cause, with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas attributing the disaster to exceptional rainfall rather than poor drainage infrastructure.
According to the Borneo Post, Uggah explained that the flood was primarily caused by an intense downpour of approximately 400mm in a short period, leading to river overflow.
He pointed out that while Sarawak typically receives an average of 5,000mm of rainfall annually, the sheer volume of rain in Bintulu was extraordinary, overwhelming the region’s drainage systems.
“The flood in Bintulu occurred suddenly, coinciding with the Chinese New Year.
This posed a significant challenge for the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in Bintulu,” Uggah said during a press conference after visiting the SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa temporary evacuation centre.
He noted the swift mobilisation of support from Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu to evacuate affected communities, and emphasised the importance of proper coordination for flood relief efforts.
“For Bintulu area, all donations can be sent directly to the Bintulu Resident Office, which acts as the SDMC secretariat for the region. SDMC does not allow NGOs to send aid directly to evacuation centres or communities to prevent confusion and ensure the distribution of supplies is carried out smoothly and systematically,” he added.
Addressing concerns about flood-damaged roads, Uggah said that the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak had been instructed to carry out immediate repairs, with critical areas prioritised, including the damaged Mambong Road.
However, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing offered a contrasting view, blaming the floods on flaws in the local drainage system and the lack of progress on the Sungai Sibiew riverbed project. Tiong, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, argued that the failure to improve the riverbed had prevented excess water from being effectively discharged, causing river levels to surge during three days of heavy rain.
“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 said, as quoted by Bernama
He reiterated his call for the river to be deepened by at least three to five metres and widened to 100 metres to accommodate increased rainfall resulting from climate change.
Tiong also raised concerns about the Sungai Kemena riverbed, which he said has been gradually shallowing due to sedimentation, complicating navigation and exacerbating flood risks. He pledged to raise these issues at a meeting on February 10, where he would also propose halting the construction of a bridge connecting Taman Jason and Taman Kemena Sutera to avoid further disruption to the riverbed works.
Tiong additionally urged the relocation of residents in illegal settlements along both riverbanks to facilitate the necessary river works and reduce safety risks.
The number of flood victims in Sarawak almost doubled as of 8 am today when 5,385 people from 1,505 families sought shelter at temporary relief centres compared to 2,981 people from 862 families last night.
Based on the latest report from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, Bintulu has the highest number of flood victims, with 1,481 people from 396 families placed in six centres; followed by Serian with 1,442 people from 446 families in 15 centres.
The number of affected districts also increased from 12 as of 8 pm yesterday to 14 today, with the number of centres activated rising from 36 to 47. – January 30, 2025