SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, today advised the state government to place serious emphasis on efforts to address the increasing frequency of floods.
He said it should identify the best ways to deal with floods immediately, including obtaining expertise and new technology from within and outside the country.
“By right, since the great floods tragedy in Selangor in 1971, we should have learned and gained knowledge on how to prepare action plans before and after the floods,” he said at the opening of the first meeting of the fifth term of the 14th state assembly here today.
Sultan Sharafuddin said that with the population now reaching more than 6.5 million, the state government should have more effective future planning so the people no longer suffer or are burdened with floods.
“I also want state government officials, agencies and departments to be more proactive in solving problems related to flood disasters,” he said.
He said efforts to deal with the floods included preparing short-term and long-term plans to deepen and widen the rivers, ensuring a good and managed drainage system, and building floodgates in important locations by taking into account rainfall as well as the tide tables.
Sultan Sharafuddin also expressed hope that every project to address floods, such as the construction of bunds or deepening of rivers, is done properly and diligently so that they are effective in the long run.
“I would like to emphasise that law enforcement action is one of the most effective ways to teach the people not to pollute and encroach on land along the rivers,” he said.
He hoped the state government would strengthen enforcement action against parties involved in river pollution activities that cause floods.
He said the public can play a role by ensuring that the drainage system and rivers in their settlements are not clogged by avoiding indiscriminate garbage dumping.
“I am saddened to see the damage following the floods faced by the people. If all parties are still not serious and complacent in facing this flood disaster, not only will the government continue to bear losses, the people will also have to bear the burden.
“In this regard, I hope the federal and state governments can put aside their political differences and work together to address the flood problems in the Klang Valley.”
On the public transport projects in Selangor, namely the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the MRT3 Circle Line, Sultan Sharafuddin said these two projects had taken into account various factors, especially their social impact and effects on the environment.
“I hope the implementation of these projects does not cause more severe effects or disasters and disrupt the lives of the people.
“They have to bear the consequences for a long time when project development is carried out irregularly, carelessly or without proper monitoring or control of the parties involved.
“Therefore, I would like to remind all parties involved, whether at the federal government or the state government, to ensure that work is carried out in an orderly manner and completed well,” he said.-BERNAMA