LETTER | Millions down the river isn’t the solution
LETTER | Each year we are faced with the same crisis. And each year we are presented with the same solution. A magic number is conjured up out of thin air.
This number is more than seven digits, but very likely eight or nine digits in length. Within a day or two, a few million or so Ringgit is allocated to deal with the flood crisis.
Yet, despite all the money poured in over the years to deal with flash floods, Malaysians find themselves stranded in this situation year after year.
LETTER | Each year we are faced with the same crisis. And each year we are presented with the same solution. A magic number is then conjured up out of thin air.
This number will be more than seven digits, but very likely eight or nine digits in length. Within a day or two, a few million or so Ringgit is allocated to deal with the flood crisis.
Yet, despite all the money poured in over the years to deal with flash floods, Malaysians find themselves stuck in this same situation year after year.
Now one might say, “Hey this is all climate change!”. Another will say, “This year’s rainfall was unprecedented, no one could predict this.”
However can we use these excuses when we have not even covered the basics?
What has caused this calamity that has already claimed the lives of more than 10 people?
While weather conditions have of course contributed to this disaster, there is so much we all can do, people and government together, to ensure this situation never happens again.
The state of our rivers is dire. If anything, the flood crisis of this year needs to be a final wake up call to all Malaysians. Our drainage systems and rivers are choking with our waste.
Firstly, we Malaysians need to unlearn our bad habits and keep our drains and rivers clear of rubbish.
Secondly, enforcement needs to be a daily around the clock affair. Our officers should be patrolling our rivers and drainage systems every day, all year round.
Nothing less should be expected from the people we have placed in charge of such critical infrastructure of our nation.
The rapid overdevelopment of city areas has taken place at an unprecedented and worrying pace.
All upcoming developments should be carefully assessed and reevaluated with our environmental needs in mind.
It is shocking to see how many new condominiums are only metres away from river banks in the Klang Valley.
Over the years these rivers have seemingly shrunk in size and some could be mistaken for a monsoon drain rather than the beautiful river it once was.
It is clear we need a holistic, long term approach to the flood situation and the caring of our environment if we want to leave our children with a liveable Malaysia.
Let us change our mentality of throwing money at a problem.
Rather, we need leaders that plan, look ahead and then proceed to spend our money wisely to avoid or at least alleviate the problem as much as possible before it occurs.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
