PARLIAMENT The flash flood which struck Kuala Lumpur on May 12, reportedly the worst in three decades, had damaged numerous vehicles.

However, Federal Territories Deputy Minister Loga Bala Mohan said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) cannot be held responsible for what happened.

"You cannot punish anyone for an act of god.

“If we can control the rain and wind force, then we can consider (compensating the motorists)," he told the special chambers of Parliament with regard to an emergency motion by Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai).

(An act of god is a legal term used for events outside human control, such as sudden natural disasters, for which no one can be held responsible.)

Nurul and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) had asked the government to compensate the motorists whose vehicles were damaged in the flood.

However, Loga said the affected motorists could seek redress in court.

“They can try (taking the matter to court). If we are asked (by the court) to pay, then we will pay (compensation)," he added.

DBKL has insurance to pay compensation for acts caused by negligence, he added.

"But, I hope the lawmakers understand the differences between an act of god and negligence," he added.

Loga claimed that the flash flood along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim was caused by extraordinary amount of rainfall.

"Both areas have recorded 106.5mm (per hour) of rainfall for two hours, while the drainage system was only built to cope with 70mm of rainfall," he said.

He said the flood that hit Jalan Pantai Bharu and the area near Universiti Malaya was caused by the overflow of Sungai Pantai, a tributary of Sungai Batu, and the recreation pond near the university.

The pond was not well-maintained, Loga claimed.

"The rapid development near UM had resulted in huge amount of water being channelled to the area which (the existing drainange system) cannot cope with," he said.

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had apologised to the affected residents in the aftermath of the flood.

The minister also acknowledged that another problem was the rubbish found in the drains.

Loga said although his boss had pledged to do his best to ensure flash flood would not recur, Tengku Adnan is not an angel that can rectify an act of god.

"The minister has apologised, he cares about the people and sympathises with them. He is responsible, he will try his best to ensure the incident will not repeat,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has directed the authorities to investigate for possible elements of corruption in development projects that may have triggered the flash flood.

Loga told the Special Chamber that the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has visited the site.

He, however, did not elaborate on the details of the investigation.

During the debate, Nurul asked the government to amend the relevant laws to hold DBKL accountable for vehicles damaged if this was caused by negligence.

She cited the Highland Tower tragedy where the court had held the relevant parties responsible for the collapse of the apartment building (on Dec 11, 1993, which killed 48 people).