By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — Selangor has taken various measures to address the issue of flooding in the state, an aide to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said today in response to a PAS Youth leader’s claim of management failures.
The Menteri Besar’s political secretary Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad said these include structural and non-structural methods implemented through the Drainage and Irrigation Department.
Saifuddin said structural measures are the construction of flood embankments, water barriers, flood tunnels, bypass channels and low dams, while the non-structural ones are the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRAB) and the development of a Hydrological Station Network.
PRAB forecasts monsoon floods seven days in advance based on weather data from the Meteorological Department, while the station network serves as flood warning sirens to collect and process hydrological data.
“Speaking of commitment, the Selangor Menteri Besar has demonstrated his dedication by personally rolling up his sleeves to assist with the evacuation of flood victims.
“He also participated in clean-up efforts, particularly during the major floods in Selangor in 2021. This is well documented and everyone is aware,” he said in a statement today.
On Sunday, Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar lambasted the state government for repeatedly failing to manage flooding in the state, including in Ijok, despite massive allocations from the federal government.
Saifuddin said in the case of Ijok, floods were due to the failure of the Sungai Buloh flood mitigation project, which was awarded by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man during his tenure as environment and water minister in 2020.
“The project, which was supposed to be ready by December 2024, is only 70 per cent complete. Selangor PAS Youth should rightly question the selection criteria for the contractor, which has so far failed to complete this critical project within the specified timeframe.”
Meanwhile, Saifuddin urged all quarters to refrain from politicising flood management, adding that disasters can occur anywhere.
He also said that when PAS-held states were affected by floods in the past, Selangor was among the first to offer help.
“For example, in 2014, Selangor provided a RM1 million assistance to Kelantan. In 2021 and 2022, Selangor helped both Terengganu and Kelantan, providing RM500,000 each.
“This amount does not include the support provided via disaster management equipment and volunteers from Selangor.”
