Penampang needs RM200 million to beat floods

Darell Leiking says people upset Federal Government has done little to solve a 15-year-old problem.

KOTA KINABALU: Penampang MP Darell Leiking estimates that Penampang district alone in greater Kota Kinabalu needs RM200 million to embark on flood mitigation projects.

He disclosed that he has spoken to Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, on the urgency of the matter. He promised to raise the issue in Cabinet, Darell added.

“The construction of culverts in Dambai and Limbanak were not good enough,” said Darell in expressing his frustration that Penampang, where he stays, has suffered one flood after another in the last two weeks.

“The sheer volume of water is too much for the culverts to handle. Another solution is needed to reduce the impact of recurrent flooding in Penampang. There are local contractors who can work this out.”

He warned that the people are upset that the Federal Government has done little to help solve a problem which first surfaced 15 years ago.

He hopes to hold a dialogue soon with the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) “to get to the bottom of the problem”. “The problem of flash floods happens in other districts too,” he stressed.

He also intends to probe hill cutting and drain blockages in the district which have added to the problem of recurrent floods in Penampang.