KUALA LUMPUR: Relentless forest clearing, hillside development and the destruction of natural water catchments have contributed to Shah Alam’s recurring flash floods, the Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) claims.
Its president, Rajesh Nagarajan, said the destruction of Shah Alam’s forests had escalated from an environmental concern into a public safety crisis.
“Shah Alam is not simply being drowned by rain. It is being drowned by deforestation, destructive development and political failure,” he said in a statement today.
“The Selangor Government cannot continue sacrificing forests in the name of development and then express sympathy when communities are submerged.
“Every tree felled, every hillside cleared and every catchment destroyed increases the price ordinary residents are forced to pay.”
Rajesh said yesterday’s flash floods inundated 92 homes in Kampung Melayu Subang, forcing the evacuation of an infant and a disabled man. A carpark in Subang Permata also collapsed following a landslide, while both directions of the NKVE between Setia Alam and Shah Alam were closed due to flooding.
He said the incidents had to be viewed against the continued clearing of forests, hillsides and natural water catchments across Shah Alam.
“The destruction of Bukit Cerakah is particularly alarming. Residents have been raising concerns over forest clearing at Compartment 35, near Perdana Heights, since 2020,” said Rajesh.
“The 174-hectare Shah Alam Community Forest, one of the remaining pockets of lowland rainforest in the area, has also faced continuing threats from encroachment and development.
“Peka and the Shah Alam Community Forest Society took legal action challenging the degazettement of part of the Bukit Cerakah Forest Reserve. Although the Federal Court dismissed their application for leave in April 2026, the legal outcome does not absolve the state government of its responsibility to protect the remaining forest.
“The destruction of these forests has consequences far beyond the loss of trees.”
The latest flooding followed heavy downpours yesterday that inundated roads and residential areas across the Klang Valley.
According to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Seri Kembangan recorded 73.5mm of rainfall, while Taman Mayang in Petaling Jaya received 35.5mm.
The downpour caused severe traffic congestion during the evening rush hour, including along the Federal Highway near Amcorp Mall and a four-kilometre crawl on the Kesas Highway. Kampung Melayu Subang was among the worst-affected residential areas, with floodwaters rising 1.37m above the danger threshold.
Peka said the flooding was linked to environmental degradation around Bukit Cerakah and the Shah Alam Community Forest, one of the area’s last remaining pockets of lowland rainforest.
“Forests are natural flood protection systems. They absorb rainfall, regulate water runoff and stabilise hillsides. Destroy them, replace natural catchments with concrete and accelerate development, and communities downstream become increasingly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides,” Rajesh said.
He said Peka had warned the Selangor Government of these dangers on June 20, 2025, but Shah Alam was experiencing flooding again 17 months later.
“How many more warnings must be ignored?” he asked.
“The authorities cannot continue hiding behind assurances that pumps are working and relief centres are available. Pumps cannot replace forests, restore destroyed catchments or compensate for irresponsible land-use planning.
“You cannot destroy nature’s drainage system and expect mechanical pumps to save the city.”
Peka has called on the Selangor government to:
• Impose an immediate moratorium on forest clearing and hillside development in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Permanently protect and gazette the Shah Alam Community Forest and all remaining ecologically significant parts of Bukit Cerakah.
• Establish an independent public inquiry into Shah Alam’s recurring floods, including the contribution of deforestation and development.
• Disclose all development approvals and environmental assessments affecting the relevant forests and water catchments.
• Identify those responsible for approving developments that compromise forests, hillsides and natural drainage systems.
Image: Shah Alam after yesterday’s floods/Threads
