MCA's Saw hits out at Penang govt over flood management

MCA spokesperson Saw Yee Fung has lambasted the Penang state government, saying it failed to mitigate flash floods and that residents of areas like Batu Maung were being tormented every time it rains.

This was after scores of houses in several areas on the island were hit by flash floods following heavy rains from 10pm yesterday.

State Environment and Welfare Committee chairperson Phee Boon Poh confirmed that several houses in Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas, and George Town were flooded but there was no need for evacuation.

Saw said she inspected the flooded areas and was shocked that the same location in Batu Muang had suffered flash floods twice in less than a month.

“After receiving complaints from numerous victims early yesterday morning, I inspected the flood site in person.

“It is unfathomable that this area has experienced two consecutive flash floods in less than one month.

“State government authorities, in particular, must address this problem and solve the drainage woes to prevent the floods from continuously causing property damage to the victims and aggravating their wellbeing,” she added.

Phee earlier said most of the houses were flooded with water levels reaching 30 to 50cm, adding that representatives involved are monitoring and providing assistance to those affected.

“As of 10am today, the flood waters in most of the areas have receded and we are lucky because all the pump houses in the affected areas are operating smoothly,” he said.

The state government is also monitoring the weather over Penang, especially at locations prone to flash floods, he added.

Saw said, according to residents’ reports, the reason behind disasters hitting Batu Maung is the closure of a 20-feet-wide ditch beside the Sungai Nipah river bank.

She said the ditch was part of the DAP-led Penang government’s Sungai Nipah flood mitigation project.

“Hence, only a small three-feet ‘pathway’ is left to enable water to flow through, rendering it impossible for water to flow effectively in the drain.

“The state government must face up to the causes of the floods and prevent the floods from turning into a disaster which results in residents living in constant fear of rainfall.

“Batu Maung was only recently hit by flash floods on Sept 24 and now it is flooded again. There must be a long-term flood mitigation plan for Batu Maung and Penang island,” she added.

Hold state, local authorities accountable

Saw went on to claim that neither the Penang administration nor local MPs have paid attention or taken any practical actions to resolve problems affecting residents that arose since the last floods.

“Penang exco for Infrastructure and Transport Zairil Khir Johari earlier submitted an investigation report, pointing out the flooding in the area was caused by a number of reasons, including torrential rainfalls, lightning, floods, and the blockage of ditches and garbage.

“The flooding caused by the two heavy rainfalls last month and today may be attributed to human negligence from a clogged ditch which affected the drainage and irrigation system.

“The state and local authorities must be held accountable while affected residents deserve an apology and should be given the appropriate compensation for property damage,” Saw said.

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She also alleged that a screw pump, which the state government vowed would solve the flood issue, turned out to be manually operated instead of automatically adjusting according to the water level.

“After repeated attempts by the residents to contact the person in charge, the screw pump was activated, but by this time, the residents’ homes were already flooded.

“Why is a screw pump which cost RM15.74 million to construct, being operated by hand?” she asked.

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