BINTULU, Dec 30 2025: Tiong King Sing has instructed the relevant agencies to immediately start deepening Sungai Plan, the aim is to see tangible results before the Chinese New Year in February, next year.
The Bintulu MP gave the instruction after visiting several “red zone” areas with the relevant authorities today.
He said following recent heavy rain, areas along Sungai Plan were hit by flooding, with water levels reaching about three feet in some locations.
“I have made it clear that Sungai Plan must be dredged using excavators and properly cleared to restore its original drainage and flood retention capacity,” he said on facebook post.
“As the land involved falls under different authorities, I have directed Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Land and Survey Department, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to form a cross-department task force.
“One agency will be appointed to lead and coordinate efforts including identifying the exact locations and causes of blockages, clarifying river reserve boundaries, defining roles and responsibilities, and working through the technical approach and execution details for the dredging works.
“At the same time, I have clearly stated that any factory or warehouse occupying drainage reserves or river reserves must remove the structures immediately,” he said.
Tiong stressed that those who fail to cooperate will be subject to enforcement action by the Land and Survey Department, which will verify the encroachments on site and take action strictly in accordance with the law, without exception.
“I cannot accept situations where government land is illegally occupied for private gain, drainage is obstructed, floods keep happening, and the public suffers while the government takes the blame,” Tiong, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, warned.
He said BDAy has taken the lead by instructing contractors to begin cleaning and clearing drainage channels, and works have officially started.
He said he also understands that the works are expected to take approximately three weeks, although the actual timeline will depend on weather conditions.
“I will continue to closely monitor the progress to ensure the clean-up remains on track, improves drainage efficiency, and reduces the risk of sudden flooding,” he added.
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