Answer for Oral Question PL060

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA INDERA PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI SUYOI BIN HAJI OSMAN asks Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan to state the short-term actions as well as the long-term plans in addressing floods in flood-prone areas, including identifying places that are likely to be affected by floods?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan

The Ministry, through the Drainage and Sewerage Department, has identified areas categorised as hotspots or flood-prone areas and has subsequently implemented appropriate measures to address such incidents in stages.

For short-term action, this involves maintenance and upkeep works on the existing drainage system using recurrent allocations, including concrete drains and earth drains under the control of the Drainage and Sewerage Department, Public Works Department. These works are carried out continuously through term contracts to ensure that water flow remains smooth and functions properly. In addition, the implementation of a Feasibility Study is also undertaken as part of the short-term action. The results of this study will form the basis for planning construction projects for long-term solutions.

Meanwhile, long-term action involves the implementation of more comprehensive construction projects through RKN, including the construction and upgrading of drains, retention ponds and catchment ponds, the construction of river embankments or bunds, drainage pump stations, river dredging and widening works, as well as the implementation of coastal protection.

As one of the ongoing initiatives, the Ministry also keeps and analyses records of flood incidents throughout Negara Brunei Darussalam. Areas that reach a certain frequency threshold will be classified as flood hotspots and will be given close monitoring, particularly during the rainy season and monsoon season. Among the areas identified are the Kampong Pasai and Mulaut area, Kampong Kupang, the Pekan Belait area, Kg Mumong, Masjid Pekan Seria and Mukim Keriam.

In line with the need to strengthen infrastructure resilience against climate change, the Ministry has examined increasing the design standard of drainage systems from 50-Year Storm Return Period to 1 in 100 Years Storm Return Period for strategic and high-risk areas. From this study, which takes into account rainfall data, flood reports and sea-level rise information, the Ministry has identified short-term and long-term action plans for recurrent allocations to be applied for every year and RKN every five years.