PETALING JAYA, July 29 — The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will implement 39 flood mitigation projects worth RM40.5 million to strengthen the city's resilience against flash floods, with priority given to flood-prone locations including Section 51A, Medan Selera 223, Kampung Cempaka, and the FAS Tunnel.
Petaling Jaya Mayor Dato' Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the projects to address recurring flash floods will be carried out by MBPJ, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Public Works Department, and other technical agencies following the incident on July 18.
"Technical assessments found the floods were caused by extraordinary rainfall of between 65mm and 104mm within a short period, exceeding the capacity of the existing drainage system and causing Sungai Penchala and Sungai Klang to overflow in several high-risk areas.
"The planning involves several phases. As an immediate measure, five projects are expected to be completed by February next year, including the construction of a river overflow control system, the installation of flap gates, the upgrading of drains, and the development of an On-Site Detention (OSD) facility.
"In Section 51A, eight projects worth RM8.15 million will be implemented, while medium-term works involving drainage upgrades, pumps and retention ponds are also planned," he said during MBPJ's full board meeting today.
Zahri added that MBPJ will develop an OSD facility at the Medan Selera 223 car park at a cost of RM4.55 million.
The facility is capable of storing up to 3,200 cubic metres of stormwater, while upgrading the nearby heavy rain outlet and discharge system into Sungai Penchala.
On July 18, several areas in Petaling Jaya were hit by flash floods, leaving roads impassable, flooded homes and businesses including the 223 Food Court after heavy rain occurred, with authorities reporting the water level was almost two metres high.
Speaking at the sidelines of the meeting, he said MBPJ is also implementing both short and long-term measures to reduce flood risks across the city.
"In addition to the flood mitigation projects, the council is carrying out riverbank strengthening works and other engineering upgrades, which require a longer implementation period," Zahri told Media Selangor.
On proposals for Petaling Jaya to adopt the Sponge City concept, the mayor said the approach is more suitable for new development areas.
He noted that the new development areas are more suited as its underground infrastructure can be planned from the outset, with the concept expected to be implemented in Kwasa Land.
During the meeting, Zahri said that MBPJ remains committed to advancing energy efficiency and low-carbon development as part of its long-term sustainability agenda.
"The council has implemented five key energy management programmes since 2020, including energy efficiency awareness initiatives, GreenPASS certification for municipal buildings, online energy monitoring systems, building energy audits, and solar photovoltaic installations," he said.
These initiatives are formed to support MBPJ’s target of reducing carbon emissions by 33 per cent by 2030 in line with Malaysia's low-carbon aspirations.
