The federal government has been accused of withholding RM1 billion that has been allocated for flood mitigation efforts in Selangor.

NONE In a press release yesterday, Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu ( right ) said the funds for the irrigation and drainage department (DID) were included in the 10th Malaysia Plan.

“Unfortunately, the application was not considered important by the federal government who categorised the application as ‘Level 3',” said Liu.

Liu was responding to Selangor Umno deputy chief Noh Omar who blamed Pakatan Rakyat for the massive floods in Klang on Friday.

Noh had accused Pakatan of failing to fund enough flood mitigation works.

Liu said that Noh had attempted to mislead the people because although the state government pays DID staff, all other funding comes from the federal government.

As a cabinet minister who hails from Selangor, Liu said, Noh should be pressuring the federal government to release the funds in order for flood mitigation works to proceed.

“If he is sincere and wants to help the people of Selangor, he would plead to the federal government (for the funds),” said Liu, whose portfolio includes local government, research and development.

Flood waters struck large parts of Klang on Friday morning after an overnight downpour. It has been described as the worst flood in 40 years.