In a press statement received here yesterday evening, Tiong said if siltation was not a serious problem in Sibu, why is there no such problem in downstream towns of Sarikei and Bintangor where the river has not silted?

“Before, a 1,000-ton boat could travel up to Sibu without any problem. The siltation has become so serious that it has badly affected the river transport business. This is a fact we cannot deny.”

Tiong said if this situation continued to deteriorate, the stretch of the river from Jalan Lanang area to Kapit would burst its banks frequently, flooding its surrounding areas.

He said he could not see the logic of Wong refusing to open his ears to the people and accept dredging as a flood mitigation measure.

“Why does he have to look at the mammoth RM400 million bund-building project all the time?”

He said MPs just had a meeting with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi last week, and in a discussion, the prime minister had agreed to solve the flood problems in the country “by deepening the river”.

“He expects this measure to be looked into quickly, and if this still fails, then he will only see building of bunds as a resort.”

Tiong did not see the need for building bunds in Sibu at the moment.

“The town is not like the situation in Holland, where the land is below sea level.

“During low tide in Sibu, some parts of the river become so shallow that it is not navigational, and in other parts, boats could not even berth.”

He challenged Wong to accept the responsibility if the bunds failed to stop the floods.

“He will retire one day, or he might leave his post, and in the end, when the problem is identified, it will be the Barisan Nasional government which will have to bear the responsibility.”

He suggested that Wong not just sit in the air-conditioned office to receive reports.

“Go on a ground study. If there is a need, I am willing to take him to Sibu for a tour of duty.”

Tiong added that Kemena River here was facing a similar problem.

“Siltation has become so serious that the mouth of the river has become shallow too. During low tide, barges, trawlers and other ships cannot enter. The skippers have to wait for the tide to rise.”

He said the situation was unthinkable if there was an emergency at sea. “How will rescuers and the marine police travel out in their boats?

“What has the DID done about it?”