In a press statement, Tiong, who is also the Bintulu Member of Parliament, hoped this would be looked into so that reports could be sent to the Federal government for further assessment.

He said the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was concerned with the floods in the country and had called on the various departments to help the victims, and also to look into the flood mitigation plan.

Therefore, if there was a need for more funds, he hoped the DID would apply for it.

Tiong, who is also a Justice of the Peace, said he was concerned because numerous flood victims had related to him how they had suffered during the floods on Dec 12 in central Sarawak.

He said the people had claimed that river siltation could be a serious problem, and he hoped the DID would look into this.

“The victims have also claimed that the rescue teams were not efficient enough to help them.

“There were complaints that those stranded in the low-lying areas had found it difficult to get food or other necessary items, and for some of the rescue teams they met, they received little or no help from them,” he said.

He said the flood victims were being cut off by impassable roads.

“They were suffering in the floods, and if they could not get help they needed, the predicament is like the rescue teams adding salt to the injuries.”

He hoped the various departments involved in flood relief would review their works so that they could be more efficient.

He said one flood victim from Sungei Bidut had told him that he and his family had suffered heavy losses after water entered their house.

He hoped this would not affect their coming Chinese New Year celebration.

As the flood receded, he said there were reports of mud on the roads, making driving and riding dangerous.

“If the victims in these affected areas still need assistance, I hope the rescue teams will provide.”