KUCHING: The Federal Government and the Sarawak Government are strengthening their joint commitment to addressing global climate change challenges through the execution of the mega Phase 2 Kuching City Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) project valued at RM2.48 billion.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian stated that the project approved under Rolling Plan 1 (2026) represents a crucial investment toward bolstering flood protection in Kuching.

“This RTB project is a landmark investment in flood protection for Kuching,” he said.

He said this when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting in Kuching on Tuesday.

Elaborating further, he noted that upon full completion, the construction of the six-kilometre Sungai Sarawak bypass will provide direct protection to 470,233 residents while covering an area spanning 47,264 hectares across the city vicinity.

Physical execution of the project is scheduled to run from 2027 to 2033, with Value Assessment (VA) and Value Engineering (VE) sessions slated to take place in early November 2026.

He also expressed appreciation to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, for his efforts in securing federal funding to realize the large-scale project.

He stressed that his ministry will continue to collaborate closely with the Federal Government to ensure the project progresses according to schedule to enhance long-term flood mitigation and public well-being. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Lonney Jinab
Photos: George S. Embie
Translator: Ryan Lim