Premier says a committee to be set up to formulate long-term strategic plan to address flood problems in Sarawak

BINTULU, Jan 14 2026: The Sarawak government will formulate a more comprehensive solution through long-term planning to address the flood issue more effectively and sustainably, Premier Abang johari Openg said, after visiting the flood-affected areas here, today.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg speaking to reporters after visiting the flood victims in Bintulu  - Picture by Ukas 

He said he would set up a committee at the state level to formulate a strategic plan and identify the best solution.

“Detailed discussions need to be carried out first and I will not make any early announcements as this involves long-term planning,” he said.

He also informed that engineering capabilities and technical aspects will be among the main considerations in formulating the flood mitigation plan, in line with the Sarawak government’s desire to ensure that the infrastructure developed is more resilient to extreme weather changes.

During the visit, the premier received a detailed briefing on the current developments in the flood and visited the Temporary Evacuation Center (PPS) to ensure that the welfare and safety of victims were always given priority.

According to him, the monitoring results found that the Sebauh district was identified as the most affected area, although rain was also reported to occur around Bintulu town.

This situation, he said, reflects the challenges in predicting the actual impact of extreme weather.

Commenting on the accuracy of weather forecasts, the premier explained that reports from the Meteorological Department were not necessarily able to accurately determine the location of the rain even though the time period of the incident could be identified.

“In some cases, weather reports show accuracy in terms of timing, but the location of the rain event cannot be fully ascertained,” he said.

He said this situation caused the rain predicted to occur in the Bintulu urban area to have a more significant impact in other areas such as Sebauh, thus posing challenges in implementing early mitigation measures.

Touching on the physical damage caused by the flood, especially involving public infrastructure such as roads, he informed that repair works would not be carried out in the near future to prevent repeated damage.

“Infrastructure restoration works cannot be carried out at this time because there is a possibility of a second wave of monsoon in February. If repairs are carried out now, the risk of repeated damage is high.

“Therefore, reconstruction will be carried out after the monsoon season ends,” he explained.

Abang Johari said the flood situation in Bintulu is improving, with 66 Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) opened in the initial stages of the incident.

However, as of today, he said 56 PPS have been closed, and only 10 PPS are still operating to accommodate victims who are still affected.

“In the initial stages of the incident, the number of flood victims was recorded as 7,465 people. “However, the figure has shown a significant decrease and so far, the total number of victims who are still affected is 1,638 people,” he said.