KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The authorities have made flood preparations, especially to tackle flash floods in the capital, a continuous priority.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this is particularly crucial after Malaysia assumed the Asean chairmanship from Laos during the Asean Summit on October 11.
She said the matter takes into account Kuala Lumpur’s role as the nation’s main gateway, as well as its status as the capital and a regional economic hub.
“The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is responsible for the beautification and well-being of Kuala Lumpur as we prepare for the Asean chairmanship in 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
"This preparedness requires a coordinated effort, which is the responsibility not only of DBKL as the local authority, but also involves other agencies, including the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Meteorological Department, Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, and Alam Flora," she said during minister’s question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to a question from Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar, who asked about Kuala Lumpur's readiness for the Asean chairmanship 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026, given that the flash floods issue has yet to be resolved and could affect the country’s image.
Dr Zaliha said DBKL is maintaining 15 open flood retention ponds and nine underground closed ponds to address flash floods in the medium term.
"All flood retention ponds have undergone regular desalination as needed. Roadside drains have also been upgraded to improve drainage capacity and reduce the impact of flash floods.”
Regarding long-term measures, she noted that seven flood mitigation projects were completed in 2022 and 2023, while 14 projects are planned for this year, with two completed, four underway, and eight at the tender analysis stage.
Addressing a supplementary question from Onn regarding the delay of security teams during the recent flash floods in the city, Dr Zaliha said the claim was inaccurate.
"On that day, the Meteorological Department reported that the rain began at 8.30am and stopped around 10.45am. Within that time, the teams from the Irrigation and Drainage Department and DBKL were already on-site, working to redirect water flow and assist with drainage.”
— Bernama
