Kota Kinabalu: Darau Assemblyman Azhar bin Datuk Matussin called for urgent and coordinated action by relevant authorities to address a wide range of infrastructure, drainage and public safety issues affecting communities in his constituency.
He said residents in several housing areas and villages continued to face recurring and long-standing problems involving poor drainage, deteriorating roads, flooding and inadequate public facilities, despite repeated maintenance works.
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In Taman Kingfisher, he warned an overstretched sewage treatment facility which is already discharging overflow into the Bangka-Bangka River, raising environmental and public health concerns.
“Clogged drains, overgrown vegetation waste and uncollected tree-cutting works and road subsidence in Kingfisher Millennium, had significantly increased flood risks in an area located near low-lying mangrove land.
“Drainage systems near Maktab Nasional are frequently disrupted by foreign materials and required regular cleaning, while the existing sewage treatment facility in Kingfisher was no longer able to cope with demand, resulting in overflow into the Bangka-Bangka River,” he said when debating the 2026 State Budget.
“There is a traffic congestion along the City Hall (DBKK) bypass road, apart from flood risks in the area, which lies close to low-lying mangrove land.
“Maintenance of monsoon drains in densely populated areas such as Kingfisher Millennium is critical, especially following flash floods recorded in September 2025,” he said.
In Taman Richdar, Azhar said drains were badly clogged, with vegetation growing inside them, and he called for scheduled maintenance.
He also proposed the installation of speed bumps to improve road safety as the area becomes more densely populated.
Meanwhile, in Taman Wijaya, Azhar questioned the quality of road maintenance, noting that roads which had recently been repaired are already damaged again. He also called for regular maintenance of the drainage system in Kg Tutudu Kembirian.
He also brought up several long-standing issues in Kg Likas, including poor road conditions along Jalan Haiwan and Kurol Melangi, where potholes and uneven surfaces remain common.
He also sought clarification on the status of a two-acre plot approved for the relocation of six families from Kg Nelayan 1, and questioned whether demolition notices previously issued for Kg Likas Lama and areas along the Sungai Likas waterfront would still be enforced.
In Kg Kalansanan, Azhar said Jalan Lorong Ketam as being in very poor condition is in need of upgrading, widening and elevation.
He also said wooden walkways throughout the village are badly deteriorated, proposing that the two main bridges be permanently filled in as a long-term solution to reduce maintenance costs and improve parking access for residents.
The assemblyman also raised concerns in Kg Warisan, where potholes along the main road and the absence of proper drainage in Lorong 5 and Lorong 6 continued to inconvenience the residents.
In Puri Warisan, Azhar said parking space was insufficient and suggested utilising vacant land to ease congestion.
He also proposed the construction of a large water reservoir to improve water supply reliability.
“Flooding remained a major issue in Rampayan, where floods had continued to occur, including during the recent election campaign period.
“Furthermore, compensation payments to landowners with titled land affected by the Rampayan River flood mitigation project had yet to be settled by the state government. I am calling for this to be looked into and appropriate urgent action to be taken,” he said.
Azhar also highlighted poor road conditions, inadequate drainage systems throughout Kg Rampayan, and the plight of residents of Kg Seradan affected by flood mitigation works.
Many, he said, are living in makeshift homes after their original houses were demolished. Therefore, he urged the Government, on humanitarian grounds, to provide relocation sites and SMJ houses for eligible families.
Other issues Azhar raised included numerous potholes and poor-quality repair works along the Gudon bypass road near the Dambai roundabout, as well as dim street-lighting in the area.
In Darau itself, he called for immediate action to address the problem of stray dogs roaming villages, citing safety concerns and tidal flooding that has affected homes in Kg Darau Laut, Darau Lama, Darau Buek Suok and Kg Warisan.
To address the issue, he proposed stronger river and mangrove conservation efforts, deepening of river mouths and channels and scheduled river maintenance to reduce the impact of high tides and flooding.
