THE Penang government is adopting a holistic approach to addressing flood-related issues along Sungai Junjong by incorporating the river into the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) study for the Sungai Jawi basin.
Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the approach was based on river engineering principles, which recognised Sungai Junjong as part of the Sungai Jawi sub-basin.
He said, from a hydrological perspective, water flow and sediment discharge from Sungai Junjong had a direct impact on the drainage capacity of the main Sungai Jawi river system.
“Therefore, under the IRBM principles, solutions to problems such as flooding must be implemented holistically, based on the boundaries of the entire river catchment.
“Furthermore, the Sungai Jawi IRBM study incorporates hydraulic modelling and comprehensive rainfall distribution data covering the entire catchment area.
“This enables the impact of any proposed flood mitigation or sediment control measures along Sungai Junjong on downstream areas to be assessed accurately,” he said.
Zairil (PH–Tanjong Bunga) was responding to an oral question from Abidin Ismail (PN–Sungai Bakap) at the Penang Legislative Assembly sitting today.
He added that funding for the proposed construction of a retention pond and flood embankments in Kampung Sepulau and Tasek Chempedak had yet to be finalised, pending the outcome of the Sungai Jawi IRBM study.
“The findings of the study will serve as the basis for determining the most suitable flood mitigation measures.
“The assessment will take into account technical considerations, cost implications and land acquisition requirements before development funding can be considered,” he said.
However, as part of its short-term mitigation efforts, Zairil said the state government, through the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), had completed two one-off physical works costing a total of RM400,000 in August 2026.
He added that JPS had also carried out five rounds of maintenance works along Sungai Junjong throughout 2026 to reduce the risk of flooding in the affected areas.
Story by Riadz Akmal