Flood-stricken Taman Sri Muda residents to sue authorities for negligence

 

Much of Taman Sri Muda was submerged after the heavy rainfall on Dec 17 and 18, resulting in losses of millions of ringgit.

PETALING JAYA: Flood victims in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, will file a class action in negligence against the authorities over the massive flood that claimed nine lives in their area and displaced nearly 4,000 people last month.

The suit is expected to name the Shah Alam city council, Selangor drainage and irrigation department, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the federal and Selangor state governments.

About 40 people from Taman Sri Muda had shown interest to be part of the suit, said lawyer Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal.

He said the crux of the suit involves negligence, as government agencies owe a duty of care to Selangor residents, including providing sufficient drainage and adequate response in times of disaster.

“Victims, residents, businesses or anyone at all affected by the flood in Taman Sri Muda are welcome to get in touch,” he said.

At least 25 people died in the floods in Selangor, with most of the deaths occurring in Shah Alam. - FMT