ONE of Pakatan Harapan’s top priorities should it win the Malacca elections is to resolve the flood problems that have plagued the state and caused hardship to the people.

Malacca PKR chairman Halim Bachik told The Malaysian Insight the PH government will look into the issue in depth to develop a long-term solution.

“This is one of our priorities. When we take over, we will look into this. Of course we understand it is the drainage problems which will cost a lot to fix,” he said in a recent interview.

“This involves a lot of areas that are affecting the rakyat. 

“There must be strategic planning so the matter can be solved. This will involve long term planning and not just remedial works which will only last for a few months.” added Halim who has not been named as a party candidate for this election.

PH yesterday launched its election manifesto for Malacca, which is based on three core values: welfare, economy and governance.

The pact’s chief ministerial candidate, Adly Zahari said the manifesto has six strategies and 32 initiatives.

Last month Malacca was again hit by flash floods, which affected 283 households.  

The disaster cost the life of a firefighter from Malacca Tengah who lost consciousness during a flood rescue operation in Kampung Sungai Putat, Ayer Keroh, and died a day after the incident. 

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said then that the government had set aisde over RM9 billion for about 100 flood mitigation and urban drainage projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025).

Halim said there must be a full study to stop flash floods in the state “because if there is heavy rainfall for an hour, then there will be flash floods.”

“We have to resolve this issue collectively. The state government has to step in and help and resolve this issue once and for all.”

He said flash floods also occurred in the city and other areas, causing massive traffic jams and congestion.

All this affects tourism, he noted.

“We get worried when it rains. There will be traffic congestion that will affect tourism.”

He also hit out at the state government for not paying attention to the people’s welfare during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“All it did was give out food aid but this will not solve the problems of the people. There must be a strategy to help the rakyat during the pandemic other than giving food aid.”

He said with a pandemic budget ranging in the billions of ringgit, the state government could do more than just give out food.

“If PH had been in power during this period, we would have focused on helping the B40 group, the traders and others who are doing small business. 

“This RM250 government aid doesn’t help. We need to identify the B40 families and help them gain income by opening stalls and other businesses, help them to earn a living,” he said.

PH won the state in the last general election but the state government soon collapsed following defections that allowed a Umno-led government to take over.

However that state government was also ousted, again due to defections of assemblymen, including two from Umno.

Twenty-two Independent candidates will also participate in the November 20 state polls. – November 11, 2021.