Selangor, Federal Govt Take Urgent Measures To Tackle Flooding In Klang Valley

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The Selangor government and the federal government, through the Federal Territories Department, have agreed to implement five key measures to reduce flood incidents affecting residents in the Klang Valley.

In a joint statement issued following a meeting between Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on flood retention ponds and crematoriums today, both sides agreed to hold a technical meeting within two weeks.

“Other measures include reviewing the capacity of Batu Dam and Klang Gate Dam, identifying locations for new flood retention ponds, increasing the capacity of three existing ponds, as well as coordinating river dredging and silt removal works,” the statement said.

Elaborating on the five measures, the statement said the technical meeting would identify project locations, scope, estimated costs, funding sources and implementation methods, while preliminary details would be prepared before the next Parliament sitting and the tabling of Budget 2027.

“Regular meetings will also be held to monitor progress and resolve outstanding issues,” the statement said.

On dam capacity, both sides agreed that studies on Batu Dam and Klang Gate Dam should be conducted to assess whether their existing capacities are sufficient to meet water management needs over the next 20 to 30 years, as well as to identify suitable locations upstream for the construction of new flood retention ponds, including in Selangor.

The statement said the assessment would take into account technical suitability, land status, environmental and local community impacts, as well as the ability of the locations to reduce flood risks.

“The Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) will identify three existing ponds suitable for upgrading to increase their retention capacity,” the statement said, namely Kampung Laksamana Pond, Sungai Kertas Pond and the pond at Bukit Lagong.

“The pond at Bukit Lagong is located within a forest reserve, which needs to be degazetted to enable the area to be used as a retention pond,” the statement said.

For river dredging and silt removal works, the Selangor JPS, together with the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory JPS, will coordinate the identification of rivers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor requiring such works.

“The Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory JPS will also assist in identifying a suitable 30-acre site in Selangor for the disposal of dredged silt waste,” the statement said.

Both sides said all the measures were necessary due to the urgent need to address the issue, as well as the fact that three out of every 10 Malaysians reside in Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, while the two areas collectively contribute 41.7 per cent to Malaysia’s overall economy.

-- BERNAMA