SHAH ALAM, April 21 — Selangor is not constantly flooded, and to say so would be inaccurate, said Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze.
While acknowledging ongoing issues and the need for improvements, the Pakatan Harapan lawmaker said there has been visible progress in certain areas, which should not be overlooked.
“Yesterday, there were no floods at all in Subang Jaya, not even in a single location. Compared with 2019 and 2021, when some areas experienced what were described as ‘once-in-10-years’ floods, there have been marked improvements.
“I hope we can correct the perception that the entirety of Selangor is constantly flooded and that no action has been taken.
“I’m not saying there are no floods; there are still cases. But there have been improvements, and Subang Jaya is one example where certain areas no longer face floods,” she said when debating the motion of thanks for the Royal address at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly here today.
Ng also pushed back against claims suggesting there has been no improvement to Selangor’s flood management, asserting that policy discussions should remain constructive.
Her remarks came after several assemblymen from both sides of the divide raised concerns over the state government’s flood management during their debates.
Yesterday, when opening the fourth session of the 15th state assembly, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj reprimanded the state government over unresolved flood issues.
On a separate matter, Ng raised concerns over rising costs driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly the impact of fuel price volatility on welfare programmes and public services.
She proposed that initiatives under the state’s welfare schemes be digitalised to reduce unnecessary travel and fuel consumption, noting that current redemption processes require physical movement that could be avoided.
“This change is no longer optional, it has become a strategic necessity. We cannot rely on old management models to deal with the current fuel crisis.”
She also highlighted operational challenges faced by waste management contractors, especially those not covered under subsidy schemes, and warned that rising fuel costs could disrupt essential services.
She urged the state government to engage with federal authorities to review subsidy eligibility and consider interim measures to stabilise contractors’ operations.
Meanwhile, Ng also raised concerns over the trend of terraced houses being converted to hostels in Subang Jaya, saying the practice is putting a strain on residential neighbourhoods.
She said such modifications are often done without approval and have significantly increased occupancy levels far beyond what the properties were originally designed for, adding that surrounding communities are facing numerous issues including excessive waste, parking congestion, and infrastructure stress.
The situation has also raised serious safety concerns, especially fire hazards and electrical overloading, as existing housing structures are not equipped to handle the demands of high-density occupancy, she said.
“When a terraced house designed for a single family is modified to accommodate 15 to 20 occupants, it is no longer a home. It effectively becomes a commercial premise disguised as a residence.
“The use of dense partitions without proper ventilation or emergency exits creates a serious safety hazard and could become a deadly trap,” Ng said.
