RM1.65mil for flood mitigation projects in Sg Siput

KUALA Kangsar Municipal Council (MPKK) has received RM1.65mil for seven flood mitigation projects in Sungai Siput including RM500,000 to maintain reservoirs.

Perak investment and corridor development committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said several issues needed to be resolved to stop flash flooding and slope failure in Sungai Siput specifically within the Jalong constituency.

“This year, MPKK received RM1.65mil for seven projects in Sungai Siput including an RM400,000 allocation for reservoirs in Taman Muhibbah Jaya and RM100,000 for Taman Lintang Makmur.

“Among the works being carried out are deepening the river bed as well as setting up fences along the river,” said the Jalong assemblyman, adding that a sump would be built in Taman Lintang Makmur to prevent flash floods.

Kam Ah Mui, 67, said after 15 years of living in Taman Lintang Makmur in Sungai Siput, she would be able to sleep better knowing that flooding problems were being addressed.

She said flash floods often occurred during a downpour.

“If it rains for more than two hours, my house gets flooded and we can’t leave our home.”

Kam, who has a 13-year-old grandchild living with her, told StarMetro, “I worry for our safety since it is only the two of us but I heard the state government will be fixing the drainage. I hope it will stop flash floods from happening.”

Loh, who visited the housing estate, said the state government, Perak Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and MPKK had started discussions on fixing the drainage system.

“The Perak state assembly just passed the Water Resources Enactment and are in the midst of setting up the management board.

“We hope the new bill will help us solve this matter as soon as possible,” he said.

During the state assembly sitting on Sept 27, 30 Perak assemblymen voted in favour of the enactment to replace the Coastal Management Enactment which was gazetted in 2016.

During the tabling of the enactment, Perak water committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said it would cover three main issues – governance of water resources management board, control of water resources and licensing, and pollution, control and enforcement.

He added that the water board would consist of 12 members including the chairman.