By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, April 26 — The authorities have taken steps to develop a long-term solution to ensure the complete safety of Taman Seri Alam residents in Saujana Utama, Sungai Buloh, after a water retention pond broke on Thursday (April 24).
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim said that immediately following the incident, the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS), together with KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd, carried out clean-up works in the affected areas.
"The developer undertook temporary repairs to the damaged pond wall structure. Based on current observations, the structure is now able to withstand normal water flow," he said in a statement today.
[caption id="attachment_385236" align="alignleft" width="419"]
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato’ Izham Hashim speaks during a press conference after opening the Ehsan Mart supermarket branch for the Pandan Utama state constituency, in Ampang Jaya on January 2, 2025. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Simultaneously, the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) is conducting the solution collaboratively with the developer’s engineering consultants and representatives from the Residents’ Association of the affected housing area.
"This is to ensure that any solution implemented considers not only technical aspects but also social and humanitarian aspects for the local community.
"The state government anticipates that the final solution will be implemented no later than the third quarter of 2025, before the start of the northeast monsoon season," he said.
Izham added that they take seriously the concerns voiced by local residents regarding the retention pond's safety, particularly with the approaching unpredictable rainy season.
"The safety of the people remains the utmost priority in every action taken. Whilst the long-term solution is being finalised, several immediate measures that can be implemented within the coming week have been identified and commenced.
"Among them are desilting works and the repositioning of the trash rake within the retention pond. These works are currently progressing actively at the site," he said.
Izham said that the state government, via JPS, MPKS, and other relevant technical agencies, remains committed to resolving the issues concerning the Taman Seri Alam retention pond and ensuring that an incident of pond failure and subsequent flooding of residential areas does not recur.
"We fully understand the concerns of the residents and will ensure that all mitigation measures and improvement works are carried out in accordance with established safety standards, for the well-being of the local community.
"The state government remains committed to listening to the people's voices and ensuring that follow-up actions are carried out responsibly and with due care and concern," he said.
