Package 2 of Kuching sewerage project reaches 99.6pc completion

THE RM2.48 billion Kuching City Flood Mitigation Project Phase Two is on track to begin physical implementation in 2027, with a six-kilometre Sungai Sarawak bypass expected to protect more than 470,000 residents in Greater Kuching upon completion.

Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the project is among major flood mitigation initiatives covered by the RM2.8 billion federal allocation approved under the First Rolling Plan 2026.

He said a Value Assessment and Value Engineering workshop is scheduled for early November 2026 to keep the project on track for implementation from 2027 to 2033.

“When completed, the six-kilometre Sungai Sarawak bypass will protect 470,233 residents and 47,264 hectares in Greater Kuching,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Oct 20).

Dr Sim thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof for securing the substantial federal allocation for the project.

He said the investment would strengthen flood protection in Kuching and reduce risks to communities affected by flooding.

Meanwhile, three other packages under the Sungai Sarawak Integrated River Basin Development project, costing a total of RM191 million, are at various stages of physical implementation and targeted for completion between the second and third quarters of 2027.

The Sungai Miri and Limbang District flood mitigation projects are also being implemented, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2028.

Dr Sim said Sarawak would further strengthen its flood forecasting and warning capabilities through Phases Two and Three of the national Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme, involving a combined investment of RM207.99 million.

The programme will add 254 new telemetry stations and upgrade 279 existing stations to improve hydrological monitoring across the state.

Together with the 400 existing stations, the upgrades will bring Sarawak’s total number of operational telemetry stations to 654 once both phases are fully deployed.