PENAMPANG: Parti Warisan Penampang Division urged the State Government and local authorities, including the Penampang Municipal Council (MPP), the Public Works Department (PWD), and appointed concessionaires, to ensure that the monsoon drainage system around the town is kept clear of blockages in order to prevent flash floods.
The division also stressed the need for MPP to closely monitor ongoing refurbishment works at Tamu Donggongon from time to time to ensure that no debris or stones enter the monsoon drains, which could disrupt smooth water flow.
According to Adrian Abah, a member of the division’s infrastructure and landscaping bureau committee, evidence of an unmaintained drainage system was observed during an inspection conducted at the district library and market this morning.
“We found that the drain near the tamu’s traffic light is blocked with dirt, vegetation and sediments, causing water to flow slowly. We believe this is one of the contributing causes why the road in front of the district library is always flooded whenever it rains heavily,” he said.
He added that debris, stones and branches were also found inside the monsoon drain next to the main road near Tamu Donggongon.
While the division is not in a position to attribute the source of these materials to any particular party, he said the proximity of the debris to the ongoing refurbishment works at Tamu Donggongon warrants closer scrutiny.
“We urge MPP to conduct a proper investigation to determine the source so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken regardless of where the responsibility lies, and to ensure continuous monitoring of this drain,” he said.
He also noted that the roadside drain at the back of Sabah Credit Corporation was found filled with aquatic vegetation, dried branches and rubbish, and called for it to be cleared as soon as possible before the next heavy rain.
The inspection was carried out by Parti Warisan following complaints from Donggongon residents over flash floods on Thursday (June 18). It was attended by Kapayan State Assemblyman Chin Tek Ming, Central Strategic Communication Director Christopher Masudal, Division Chief Jeffrey Leiking, and division committee members Michael Tan Jr. and John Jouting.
Meanwhile, Michael Tan Jr. called for periodic drainage maintenance to be carried out in Donggongon New Township, particularly at the Sigah Roundabout, to prevent blockages.
“We were informed that the Moyog River did not overflow at the time the flash floods occurred, which strongly suggests that the flooding in Donggongon was not caused by river overflow but rather by clogged and poorly maintained monsoon drainage systems in the area.
“This distinction is important, as it confirms that the flooding is preventable through proper and timely drainage maintenance rather than being an unavoidable consequence of river conditions.
“Shop owners and hawkers have also informed us that repeated flash floods near the market are due to blockage at the monsoon drain along the main road and not the drains in front of their shops.
“So we hope that State Government agencies, particularly the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and PWD, will ensure periodic maintenance of drainage systems under their jurisdiction, especially at Roundabout Sigah.
“This is not the first time such concerns have been raised. We have consistently called for proactive monsoon drainage maintenance ahead of the rainy season, and yesterday’s flash floods unfortunately validate the urgency of these calls.
“We reiterate that this matter transcends political lines, as it directly affects the safety and livelihood of Donggongon residents and traders,” he said.
The division, including Chin Tek Ming and Christopher Masudal, said they are also ready to sit down with the State Government and relevant agencies to discuss solutions for the benefit of Donggongon residents.
