KUALA LUMPUR – It could very well be that Taman Sri Muda, one of the worst-hit flood areas in Shah Alam, has fallen through the cracks, as thousands of its residents have been left stranded at home for days.
Kota Kemuning assemblyman Ganabatirau Veraman expressed frustration and disappointment at federal and state governments for not offering much help in efforts to relocate stranded residents in the Section 25 housing area.
“No support from any governments, only support from the public and volunteers!” Ganabatirau told The Vibes.
“The Fire and Rescue Department and armed forces only arrived yesterday and even then, the armed forces have not done much. The volunteers are running the medical team on the ground.
“The federal government did not provide us with any food supply. We have only received supplies, dry clothes, diapers, and other necessities via public donation.”
Although the floodwaters have started to recede in the area, Ganabatirau, who is also a Selangor exco member, fears that cloudy skies could bring rain in the following days.
“The skies are cloudy and I’m worried it might rain. Thousands have yet to be rescued. We need help fast.
“The residents must be rescued. I fear them spending another night in their inundated homes.”
In light of the worst flooding in the country in years, netizens highlighted that Ganabatirau had reprimanded Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) employees during his visit to Taman Sri Muda months ago.
On October 23, the state Socioeconomic Development, Community Welfare and Workers Empowerment Committee chairman criticised DID engineers for “working so stupidly” and “planning poorly” for not replacing one of the faulty water pumps at a river located in the area.
In a press conference a few days later, he apologised for his remarks and for losing his temper.
He said DID agreed to upgrade the drainage system in Taman Sri Muda and the project is expected to commence next year.
When asked about updates on the drainage project, he said DID is a federal agency and he has no say in the commencement of the project.
“This is the bureaucracy of the departments. DID said the funds should come from the state government, not the federal government. But DID is a federal agency.
“It must be done by DID. If not, there will be a very big issue. They will say that I am misusing authority and so on.
“RM10 million worth of funds to upgrade the pump house and tidal gate was approved last year (2020). They were supposed to start the project this year, but they never did it. They gave excuses, saying that it is not in accordance with the standard operating procedures and that there was a lockdown,” he said.
As of yesterday 4pm, six bodies were recovered from Taman Sri Muda.
Residents are still stuck at their homes without electricity, clean water, and food, unable to leave as the floodwaters have yet to recede completely.
Many have been posting calls for help on social media since Saturday.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, but have been hampered by debris and other resource challenges. – The Vibes, December 21, 2021
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