TWO ministries must explain why they have not been effective in preventing flash floods in Kuala Lumpur despite costly flood mitigation projects, DAP’s Lim Lip Eng said. 

The Kepong MP said that Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim, as well as Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man should provide answers to the city’s residents who experience massive flooding every time a heavy downpour occurs.

“Their cars will have to go through major repairs. Homes will have to be cleaned up. 

“For each flood, the damage can come up to millions,” Lim said in a statement. 

Yesterday, several areas in the capital were hit by flash floods following a downpour in the afternoon.

Among the affected areas were Jalan Kuching, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, Jalan Semantan, Jalan Segambut, Jalan Kinabalu, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah and Jalan Travers.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s Transport Management Centre said 14 main routes in the capital were flooded as of 4.30pm yesterday, causing a standstill in most areas of the city.

Lim said both the Federal Territories and the Environment and Water ministries have failed to address the flash flood problem.  

“Enough is enough! The December flood last year was supposed to be bad enough, but yesterday’s deluge was even worse.

“And for this to happen in a span of less than four months, it raises concerns for KL residents.” 

He also said that there is no explanation given by the authorities to date on what could have caused the frequent floods, despite billions already spent on flood mitigation. 

“There are projects like deepening the rivers, SMART, just to name a few. Each time, before work is done, there is a big launch but the problem remains unsolved.”

He also questioned whether the ministries knew how to implement sustainable development.

“As a city, what we need is sustainable development, not just more condominiums, office towers, shopping malls and skyscrapers. 

“If these projects continue unabated, it will only worsen the situation. The people who ultimately have to bear the consequences are the people living in the city of Kuala Lumpur.”

Meanwhile, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh today urged the government to provide RM1,000 each to flood-hit KL folk. 

Yeoh, who visited residents in her constituency yesterday, said that people living in Kampung Segambut Dalam had suffered damage to their properties.

“As Hari Raya approaches and preparations to celebrate this festival have been severely affected, I urge the prime minister and Federal Territories minister to immediately approve cash aid of at least RM1,000 for those affected,” she said in a statement.

Yeoh also said that the government needs to look for a long-term solution to the problem.

“The government should no longer use high rainfall distribution as an excuse.

“It is already a disaster every time it rains in Kuala Lumpur,” she said. – April 26, 2022.