KUALA LUMPUR – Klang MP Charles Santiago took the Public Works Department (JKR) to task today for being unresponsive over the former’s request to review the frequency of monsoon drains cleaning works in his constituency.
Debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech in the Dewan Rakyat today, Santiago stressed that it was the third time he had made such a request to JKR to review the current concession agreement from once in six months to weekly but was treated with a cold shoulder.
“For the Klang area, I have made several requests – in December, the special Parliamentary sitting in January, and now – to JKR, but they have kept silent.
“How can they set the current concession agreement of clearing drains to be once in six months? That is a stupid act!”
Therefore, the DAP lawmaker said he is committed to bringing the federal government department to court, just to ensure that they will carry out their duties to clean the drains.
“This is the third time I have made the request. I am committed to dragging JKR to court so that they will clean the drains in Klang. Just wait and see. I will do it.”
Set up special flood commission to investigate, make long-term recommendations
Meanwhile, he also called for a special flood commission to investigate and make long-term recommendations after parts of Klang Valley were once again hit by flash floods.
The establishment of such a commission is vital to overcome the possibilities of cities in the country from being underwater in the near future, he said.
“The commission can be led by local and foreign experts to investigate flood disasters more comprehensively.
“This request is fair, considering that six states have been affected by the disaster which has claimed 48 lives,” Santiago said.
States affected by the floods back in December, described as among Malaysia’s worst disasters in living memory, were Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang and Kedah.
The government, especially the Environment and Water Ministry, should also consider the “sponge city” concept used in China and drip irrigation implemented in India as a long-term measure to mitigate floods, Santiago said.
“At the end of the day, the people are looking for solutions. Climate change is a phenomenon that is here to stay.”
In related news, he also suggested for the government to set up a Disaster Relief Force, as well as a Disaster Relief Research and Training Centre, in view of the increasing flood incidents in the country.
Such institutions, he said, could complete the National Disaster Management Agency’s work, which he said is “very lacking and weak at the moment”. – The Vibes, March 8, 2022
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