Despite spending more than RM94 million to carry out flood mitigation projects, why is Penang’s flood situation becoming more serious, a Penang MCA leader asks.

State MCA deputy chairman Tan Teik Cheng claimed that from 2012 to date, 33 state constituencies in Penang had already spent a total of RM94,378,364 in floor mitigation.

“Obviously, floods in Penang is due to human error,” Tan said, in a statement today.

“Penang government has approved a large number of development projects around Paya Terubong, Ayer Itam and Sungai Penang.

“The state's drainage system is also destructed by the state government's excessively pro-business policy, and uncontrolled development of the hills.”

Tan was referring to the massive flash floods in Penang on Saturday, where several cars were buried under water, especially those living in Air Itam.

About 600 people in Thean Teik Park were trapped and needed the Fire and Rescue Department to rescue them.

Saturday's floods involved several rivers, including Sungai Pinang, Sungai Jelutong, Sungai Dondang and Sungai Air Itam.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow urged Putrajaya to speed up approval of the RM350 million allocation so that the state can implement the second phase of its flood mitigation project.

But Tan blamed the Penang government for the disaster, just as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had blamed “corruption and poor public facilities” for the massive flood in Pahang.

Tan said this time, in addition to the floods in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam, landslides also occurred near Sri Ivori apartment and Wah San Soo Temple.

He warned that this is dangerous to the lives of residents in the area, adding “The culprit obviously is the hillside development".

Tan slammed Penang for over-exploitation of the hill slopes, which resulted in landslides and floods in many areas during heavy rain.

"Penang Pakatan Harapan government has been in power for eight years, but it is destroying the state's natural environment and bringing suffering to the people,” Tan said.

“Now, it is the time to clean up the mess.

“If Penang government is unable to do the mitigation, it will not be eligible to be the state government,” Tan added.

“People will make a wise choice during general election,” he warned.