KOTA BARU – All development projects in the Kota Baru district must follow the “master plan” and should have a proper drainage system to prevent stagnant floods, which cause houses and other property to be submerged in water.
Environment and Water Minister, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, said the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) should enforce the matter, especially in low-lying areas.
“We have a master plan, but the problem is that those who built houses do not follow the plan, they don’t prioritise the drainage system and eventually the area becomes flooded.
“This time, we (the ministry) will get MPKB to ensure that every housing project or those who want to build houses follow the stipulated conditions,” he told reporters during a visit to several flood-hit housing areas at Wakaf Stan, Kubang Kerian here today.
Also present was state welfare, family and women development committee chairman Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi, who is also Demit state assemblyman.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is Kubang Kerian MP, said a study on the National River Basin had been conducted by the Drainage and Irrigation Department, which could be adapted by the local authorities.
He said drains that were not well maintained could also cause flooding.
On the stagnant flood water in housing areas in Kelantan, he said, the problem has been resolved in many areas, including at the Thirteen Avenue Garden housing area here. – Bernama, December 5, 2020.