ABOUT 20% of the flood victims in Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat are still waiting for their compensation from Putrajaya, a year after their homes were destroyed.

They told The Malaysian Insight that they were supposed to get up to RM10,000 from both the Selangor and federal governments.

The affected residents are hoping that the new government will help them and ensure the promised aid reaches them.

Taman Sri Nanding Rukun Tetangga chairman Mohd Rozelan Alias claimed that only 80% of the 1,300 families have received the compensation.

“Overall, there was total loss for all the families during the flood last year. They got compensation of RM2,500 from the Selangor government, which was paid over time,” he said.

“But there are still 20% who are still waiting for the balance of RM5,000 out of the RM10,000 from the previous federal government.”

Rozelan that since the government has changed, he does not know who is in charge of disbursing the balance of RM5,000.

“The residents are unhappy that they have yet to receive the compensation,” he said.

Heavy rain on December 18 and 19 last year caused widespread flooding in the Klang Valley.

Hulu Langat was one of the worst affected areas with water levels reaching rooftops while houses close to rivers were swept away by heavy currents.

Rozelan said he had brought the matter to Dusun Tua assemblyman Edry Faizal, who has engaged with the Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department.

“We have raised the matter with him and we are waiting for his feedback,” he said.

Rozelan said the residents are traumatised each time it rains for hours.

“So far, there was minor flooding here. Not high, just about one foot,” he said.

“We hope that the state and federal governments will look into long-term flood mitigation plans for the area.”

Resident Rosli Abdullah, 60, is still traumatised by the flood.

He said he has never experienced anything like it before when the floodwaters rose up to seven feet.

“During the incident, eight family members were in the house. All got to safety when the flood hit,” he said.

“But the next day was worse as we lost all our belongings and the whole area was covered with mud.”

He said he is still waiting for his compensation from the government.

“I still don’t know what the status of the compensation is. I have referred the matter to the village head,” he said.

“We hope the new government will look into the plight of the flood victims here.”

Rosli said the losses his family suffered was about RM400,000.

“During the incident, my car, my children’s car and my brother’s car were damaged. All the cars are still in the workshop,” he said.

“I’m still stuck with the instalments and currently using a motorcycle to get around.

“Many of us suffered total loss. The government said it will give RM1,000 compensation per car. I have applied but my claims were not approved.”

Another resident, Yusni Yusoff, 67, said she feels afraid when there is continuous rain.

“I’m worried during the rainy season because that experience (last year’s flood) was terrifying,” she said.

“It was a total loss as we were left with nothing. But we are grateful to the government for the compensation and civil society groups that had helped us during the ordeal.”

She hopes that the government will look into the drainage system and river in the area.

“We want to feel comfortable in our homes and not worry (about floods),” she said.

Entrepreneur Alzari “Joey” Mahshar, who was one of the volunteers that spent a month helping the victims during last year’s flood, said he was glad that the residents have started to come together as a community to assist each other.

He has been visiting the area about once a month to give the residents moral support and help build their lives.

“There are some residents who still need amenities. Previously, we had helped provide 300 gas canisters and stoves,” he said.

“We hope the new government who has capable people will help accordingly when the need arises.” – December 25, 2022.