Martin answers questions during the DUN sitting on Friday. – Information Department photo
KUCHING (May 15): The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak is expected to call for tender for Phase 1 of the Sungai Seblak River Corridor Rehabilitation Project in Kampung Sungai Benang, Kabong, Betong Division in the third quarter of 2026.
State Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben said this in reply to a question from Kabong assemblyman Dato Mohd Chee Kadir during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
Mohd Chee had asked about plans by DID Sarawak to address the collapsed embankment along Sungai Seblak, which had reportedly been left unattended for some time without repair works.
“The ministry takes note of the issue of the collapsed embankment along Sungai Seblak. Accordingly, the ministry through DID Sarawak is expected to call for tenders for the Sungai Seblak River Corridor Rehabilitation Project in Kampung Sungai Benang, Kabong District, Betong for Phase 1 in the third quarter of 2026.
“For Phase 2, DID Sarawak will submit a new project proposal under the Mid-Term Review of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP),” he said.
He said DID Sarawak has also been appointed as the implementing agency for upgrading and improvement works on earth embankments under the Kabong Nyabor Scheme in Kabong, Betong Division, funded under the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA).
“The project is expected to be tendered in the second quarter of 2026, subject to site approval. It aims to prevent seawater intrusion from Sungai Seblak into agricultural areas, as well as reduce the travel distance from Kabong town to the Sesang area by 6.8 km,” he said.
On another matter, he said DID Sarawak has taken note of the collapsed embankment at Sungai Empayang and will conduct a site investigation before carrying out necessary repair works.
On the scope of the Sungai Seblak River Corridor Rehabilitation Project, Martin said the project is divided into two phases involving riverbank protection works using rock revetment.
“Phase 1 involves the construction of riverbank protection structures using rock revetment along approximately 425 metres,” he said.
He added that Phase 2 will cover about 535 metres of similar works.
He further said the estimated cost for Phase 1 is RM21 million, while Phase 2 is estimated at RM38 million.
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