KOTA KINABALU: The flood mitigation project for the state capital will begin next year, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said.
He said the Economic Planning Unit had approved the project in the 4th rolling plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan.
"The goal of this project in Kota Kinabalu is to improve the drainage system in Basin 8, which includes the Damai and Dah Yeh Villa areas.
"Preliminary works, including soil investigation and topographic survey, will be carried out this year. The procurement for this flood mitigation project is scheduled to be carried out next year," he said in a statement here.
Jeffrey, who is also the state agriculture and fisheries minister, said frequent flooding had been a long-standing issue in Kolombong, Inanam, Likas and the surrounding areas.
Hence, he said the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) had proposed to develop a plan for the barrage-pump system, covering two main river catchments with a total area of 5,030ha covering Likas and Darau.
The system is crucial since much of the area is coastal bound, low-lying and susceptible to flooding, especially when a rainstorm event coincides with high tide.
Jeffrey said the mitigation measure was unavoidable due to the sea level rise and changes in temporal pattern.
He pointed out that it was high time to explore and start planning for such a mitigation method due to its proven efficiency in many urban places against flood damage.
"As for the Lido area, the department has appointed a consultant to finalise the design for the flood mitigation project.
"But, unfortunately, the project has been pushed back partly due to the Movement Control Order.
"However, the procurement for this project could likely be carried out by the end of this year, and I expect the construction work to start by the middle of next year," he said.