PM Anwar Ibrahim wants drainage maintenance in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to be enhanced and done more often as an immediate measure to reduce flood risks
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for drainage maintenance work in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to be enhanced and carried out more frequently as an immediate measure to mitigate flood risks.
MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was reached during a Special Meeting on Flood Disaster Coordination for Selangor, chaired by the Prime Minister yesterday to address the issue, including the progress of ongoing flood mitigation projects in both areas.
“Cabinet was informed that flood mitigation projects are currently underway; however, there are interim solutions that must be implemented immediately, including maintenance.
“It was noted during the meeting that in Kuala Lumpur, drainage maintenance is conducted six times a year. Consequently, Selangor has requested coordination including exploring what forms of assistance can be provided to increase the frequency of maintenance, especially at flash flood hotspots,” he said during his weekly press conference here today.
Furthermore, Fahmi, who also serves as the Minister of Communications, noted that funding for flood mitigation projects has been allocated and work is in progress, though completion will take time.
“In the meantime, the Prime Minister has agreed that more frequent, periodic maintenance should be carried out immediately, starting now,” he said.
Yesterday, in a Facebook post, Anwar directed all relevant agencies in Selangor to identify high-risk areas and accelerate the clearing of clogged drains to curb the risk of recurring floods in the state.
He also instructed the relevant authorities to strengthen water-level monitoring and early-warning systems, while ensuring that flood mitigation projects are executed according to plan.
