KLANG – Over three months after the deadly December floods, efforts by Klang MP Charles Santiago to seek federal funds for drainage clean-up in the flood-prone district continue to fall on deaf ears.
The DAP lawmaker revealed that multiple attempts requesting for an urgent RM6 million funding to clear the drains in his constituency have been ignored by the federal government.
Santiago also recalled how in his meeting with Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof on the last day of the recent Dewan Rakyat sitting last month, the latter had allegedly suggested that the Klang rep should get the help of residents to clean the drains.
“During the December Parliament sitting last year, I had asked for RM6 million to clean up all the drains in Klang, because clogged drains were among the contributing factors to the floods. Nothing came up.
“I raised the matter again during the January special sitting to discuss the floods. I even said if they don’t do it, I will take the authorities to court. Still, nothing,” he told reporters today.
“I even sent a specific letter to the minister, and he raised the concession agreement with the Public Works Department. When I asked again, he said, ‘Why not try gotong-royong?’.”
Santiago said the gotong-royong suggestion will not resolve the problem, as this requires a mass-scale programme that will drag on for a long time.
He said this after attending a forum on The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Areas Like Klang here today.
He added that the rising sea water level, coupled with increased rainfall in recent years and poor drainage system, is a recipe for disaster, and called for immediate action by the government.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker urged the public to use the coming general election as a “climate change and flood election”, in a bid to pressure political parties to come up with a clear mitigation plan.
“The election is not far away. I think we need to put the pressure now. We want the state and federal governments to step up and say this is what they are going to do in the next five years. Otherwise, don’t vote for them.”
Santiago also suggested that the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) be disbanded, saying it has failed to carry out its duty on disaster response, as witnessed during the December floods.
“Its effectiveness during the crisis was at an all-time low and was very weak. We didn’t see them anywhere in Selangor during the floods. What’s the point of having a lead agency when its functions are not clear?”
In Nadma’s place, Santiago instead proposed that the government introduce a new legislative framework that specifically deals with flood management to ensure swift response.
He said the government could also set up a disaster relief force similar to India’s model, that would involve the armed forces, navy, airforce and police, which does not require much added cost.
Separately, to address the issue of flooding in Klang, Santiago proposed a new drainage and irrigation masterplan for the district, saying the current system developed more than 50 years ago is obsolete.
“The new plan should link every township and area in Klang, and should also be linked to the rivers. So, the rivers also need to be widened and deepened.”
He said Klang has to be prioritised in the country’s flood management system as it is home to one of the busiest ports.
“The Klang Port employs thousands of people, with revenue running into the billions. The government needs to prioritise Klang. If the port goes under, the country will also go under.” – The Vibes, April 2, 2022
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