The previous Penang government (under BN) was “in slumber” and failed to implement flood mitigation in the state, said state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo.

“This sleep has caused sufferings of Penangites, especially those who live in Dato Keramat (who are affected by the Sungai Pinang river).

“We have requested for allocation (RM350 million) for flood mitigation project in Sungai Pinang for years,” said Jagdeep.

“We have applied for the fund since the Ninth Malaysian Plan, and this was announced in 2006,” he added.

Penang saw its worst floods in history on Deepavali Day, Oct 29, where cars were submerged in flood waters and the city came to a standstill.

The island experienced three more incidents of heavy rainfall and flash floods which drew much flak towards the Penang government for allegedly not being able to address the situation despite being in power since 2008.

In winding up his speech on Budget 2017, Jagdeep expressed “deep regret over the previous administration’s lackadaisical attitude” towards the recurring floods in Sungai Pinang.

He noted that the first phase of the mitigation works, which included widening and deepening the river which was extended to Jalan Patani, was completed in 1989.

He also recalled that the land acquisition to carry out the exercise was carried out in 1999.

“The most important thing to enable the deepening and widening of the river from Jalan Patani to Dobi Gat was the relocation of all the residents along Sungai Pinang,” Jagdeep said.

“The exercise includes 232 people, and 130 structures,” he added.

Jagdeep said nine years have passed since the land acquisition exercise was carried out by the previous government.

“When we took over the Penang administration, I as the assemblyman for Dato Keramat, was shocked that the mitigation projects was not implemented,” he said.

“I am always saying that the issue of sensitivity involving relocating of residents to enable flood mitigation works to continue cannot be used as a basis to not continue the projects.

“Floods hit all, regardless of race, religion or political allegiance, which is why I have taken the initiative to concentrate on relocation, which is not an easy task, but have been done since early this year,” he added.

Nevertheless, Jagdeep said he welcomed the RM150 million for flood mitigation, approved last month by the federal government, as “It is better late than never”.

He said the Penang government now hopes the Drainage and Irrigation Department will start work to address the issue immediately.