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KLANG, May 6 — State authorities have identified some 300 retention ponds around Selangor that do not have ownership and do not come under the jurisdiction of any council.
Executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato’ Izham Hashim said these ponds pose as a problem as they are not cared for, and that the state plans to take over their management in stages.
“Overall, we have 600 retention ponds, of which more than 100 of them are managed by the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) and the local authorities. Many others are in areas that aren’t owned by anyone.
“As of now, JPS has taken over the management of 55 such ponds — among them, the ones at Botanic and Bandar Puteri,” he said.
There are also ponds that have not been handed over by third parties — the previous owners of the land they are on.
“This is problematic,” added Izham. “We as the state authority can’t just go in and take over as we will face legal issues. We have to follow the right processes and reclaim them in stages.”
Izham was speaking to the media after chairing a meeting with Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) mayor Dato’ Abd Hamid Hussain, here, yesterday on flood mitigation works.
