SIBU: The Sarawak Government has approved an allocation to upgrade and repair Jalan Ling Kai Ching after it was affected by recent floods.

Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee said the project aims to ensure that the road is no longer vulnerable to flooding, and to prevent further damage in the future.

"Although the flood situation in Sibu is not as bad as in Miri and Bintulu, we are facing serious problems due to the damage to Jalan Ling Kai Ching which connects Teku with Sibu town.

"This main route has been cut off for the past few days, and has also affected three state constituencies, namely Bawang Asan, Nangka and Pelawan.

"Therefore, we are requesting an allocation of approximately RM2.5 million to raise the road level so that the flooding problem does not recur," he said.

He said this to reporters after raising concerns about the condition of the road to Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg who visited his Chinese New Year open house, here, on Sunday.

Explaining further, The Pelawan Assemblyman said this project will be funded through allocations under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), with an additional RM22 million from the Federal Government, specifically for disaster recovery efforts in Sarawak.

In another development, Datuk Michael fully supported the proposal of Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapa'ee for the construction of an oncology centre in Sibu.

According to him, the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) has submitted a letter of proposal to the Federal Ministry of Health (KKM) to build a new block at the Sibu Hospital, which will house oncology and cardiology wards, including hospital staff quarters.

"Sibu Hospital not only serves the people of Sibu, but also the entire Central Zone of Sarawak. Therefore, this is an important improvement to meet the healthcare needs of the community," he said.

Also present at the open house were wife of the Sarawak Premier, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Datuk Dr. Annuar, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and Sibu Division Resident, Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman. -UKASnews