PETALING JAYA: A former deputy minister has questioned the state of enforcement over drainage systems in Taman Sri Muda, the worst-hit area when a tropical depression brought massive flooding in five states.
At least 25 people died in the floods in Selangor, most of the deaths occurring in Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam.
Former deputy housing and local government minister Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah, an architect by training, said the severity of the flooding would not have been as great “if things were done properly”.
He said: “Warnings have been issued many times, but nobody has taken them seriously.”
The residents association of Taman Sri Muda told FMT recently that their drainage systems had been swamped with water from nearby areas, amounting to three times what the drains were designed to handle.
Raja Kamarul said: “When you have a new housing development coming up, there must be an updated calculation to see whether the older housing development can withstand the excess volume.
“If not, the new development must look for an independent drainage system to cater to that volume. It’s not about trial and error,” he said. “But how much of all this was actually done to the letter? And even if it was, how well has it (drainage system) been maintained?”
“The developers always find ways to bend the rules and regulations (but) the authorities have to be stern”
The onus is on authorities to ensure the safety of the projects they approve, he said. Local councils are responsible for enforcing rules related to development within their area, and projects should not be approved unless developers adhere to these rules.
Among the homeowners who have concerns about drainage include M Ali, the chairman of the Save KL Coalition which advocates responsible city planning in Kuala Lumpur.
Ali said he has had no luck in getting Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to show the drainage plans for run-off water in existing developments.
He said he was worried that Bangsar and surrounding areas would be inundated as vacant land in Bangsar, including hills and slopes, is being eyed for development,
“With approvals given for massive developments, where are the run-off drains to drain the surface water from the area?,” he asked.
Housing estates should not piggyback on existing drainage systems, he said.
However, authorities have been known to “play along” with developers in hiding the negative impacts of projects.
He called for new laws to impose heavy penalties on developers who do not provide proper drainage systems. “The approving officers or authorities must also be held liable,” he said.
“Whoever is responsible… must be answerable.” - FMT
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