Sarawak flood victims to get same govt assistance as peninsular victims - Jabu

He said he had been given such assurance by a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.

"I was with them last night where they conveyed this message. Whatever our Prime Minister had decided for those victims in the peninsula, the same assistance will be equally given here," he said.

On the whole flood situation in the state, Jabu said it was generally improving except for a few places in Limbang.

For Kuching, he said, it was expected to be much better in the next two days with reduced rainfall although there would be intermittent rains.

"The Sarawak river water level has returned to normal.

"The telemetric information we get from its upper catchment areas indicated that the level has decreased.

"But we are also taking precaution by opening five gates at the Sarawak River Barrage to ensure there is no water retention in the downstream areas," Jabu said.

He also said the 53 evacuation centres would remain open for those victims still waiting to return home to allow them to make the necessary preparations like cleanning their houses.

He was glad to note that many elected representatives had chosen to be with and help those victims in their constituencies.

Meanwhile he said the Pan Borneo Trunk Road linking Sarawak to Brunei and Sabah was still closed to traffic.

"The road is still under flood water at its low-lying stretches especially at the four-kilometer long stretch in Batu Danau in Limbang.