Chong Chee Seong, New Straits Times 20 Dec 07;
THE government has appointed a consultant to conduct an in-depth study of Sungai Muar and its landscape to draw up comprehensive flood mitigation plans.
Johor Drainage and Irrigation Department director Chong Chee Han said the RM4 million study would include the estuary of the river and will extend to Bukit Kepong, Labis and Buloh Kasap in Segamat.He said anti-flood measures would be carefully planned after the completion of the study in two years.
Chong said the department had found that the current floods in Johor, which began on Dec 5, had caused only minimal damage to infrastructure.
He said reports from flood-hit areas in the state submitted to him, to date, estimated damages at RM500,000, mostly to roads and bridges.
Chong said the floods were not as serious as those a year ago, which caused damage estimated at about RM210 million.
He said work to repair most of the damage last year had been completed.
Chong said the department had initiated another in-depth package study of four other rivers in Batu Pahat, Mersing, Kluang and the Iskandar Development Region costing RM45 million.
Accompanied by Bentayan state assemblyman Richard Lau Yew Wee, Chong inspected Sungai Bentayan and the cave-in of the sea-wall at the back of the Presbyterian church.
Chong said steps would be taken to repair the damage to the banks of Sungai Bentayan and remove the rubbish inside next year. The project is estimated to cost RM200,000.
He said the department would conduct an in-depth study to repair the affected stretch for the safety of thousands of students in nearby schools.
On the cave-in, Chong blamed tidal currents for the structural defects which began in the l960s.
He said to engage a consultant to study the damage to a 800m stretch and the coastal erosion, the department would need a RM40 million allocation.
He said as the river is about 300m from the residential areas, there was no imminent danger to residents although the areas were hit by floods recently.
The Living Waters Presbyterian Church's senior minister and moderator Reverend Peter Wee Poo feared the church and its quarters would sink into the Sungai Muar if the sea-wall was not upgraded immediately.
