Sri Muda residents chase S'gor MB to Ayer Kuning to give flood memo

Summary

• 40 residents from Taman Sri Muda, Selangor, have set out for Ayer Kuning, Perak, to hand over a memorandum to S’gor MB.

• Resident spokesperson Umagandhan Krishnan says they are demanding authorities resolve flood issues plaguing the housing area as govt has failed to respond to their earlier calls.

A group of residents from Taman Sri Muda, Selangor, have set out for Ayer Kuning, Perak, to hand Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari a memorandum demanding a resolution to the floods that have been plaguing them for years.

Some 40 residents decided to travel to Perak after they were informed of Amirudin’s presence in Ayer Kuning today, in conjunction with the by-election campaign.

Resident spokesperson Umagandhan Krishnan said this was because the Selangor state government and local authorities failed to respond to their demands to resolve the floods plaguing the housing area.

“We announced (earlier) that if no official statement is issued by the government, we will hold a peaceful assembly today.

“And before that, he (Amirudin) was busy, he didn’t want to meet the people. It’s okay, we will go and meet him,” he said at the gathering held in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam.

Umagandhan said the group had last week given the state government and local authorities seven days to respond to their demands, which expired without definitive action.

“From 2021 until now, it has been four years, and they have only given excuses... we do not want to hear excuses,” he added.

They were scheduled to depart by bus at noon from Taman Sri Muda and were expected to arrive at Ayer Kuning by 2pm.

Traumatised

Earlier, residents warned that the failure of the authorities to act would prompt them to launch a massive protest.

They claimed that three new water pumps worth millions of ringgit installed by the state government last year failed to function when needed and caused the area to be flooded twice this year.

During the press conference, Umagandhan expressed the increasing anxiety and trauma that gripped the residents, especially when it gets cloudy or rains heavily.

He stressed that their struggle is not politically motivated.

“We do not want to make this issue a political one, but the people who have to solve this issue are politicians.

“We do not want assemblypersons or council members to speak here.

“We want a final solution. Often, the solution (provided) is only temporary; we also need relief funds,” he added.

Resolve, explain, open dialogue

Umagandhan said the memorandum outlines three main demands to the state and federal government, along with other relevant authorities.

“First, the residents are urging the government to provide a definitive and permanent solution to stop the flooding issue in the area and not just give various excuses.

“In addition, we want an official explanation from the state and federal governments on the actions that have been and will be taken in addition to providing relief funds to flood victims,” he said.

The third demand, he said, touches on the need for open dialogue with the top state and federal leadership.

The residents also want a meeting with Amirudin and ministers to be held within 14 days of the memorandum's submission.

The peaceful gathering attended by Bukit Kemuning and Batu Lapan residents, in Shah Alam, momentarily turned chaotic when Kota Kemuning assemblyperson S Preakas arrived.

His presence was not welcomed by the group, who wanted to meet and discuss the matter directly with Amirudin. However, Preakas was later allowed to explain the issue.

Taman Sri Muda was among the worst areas affected during the massive floods in the Klang Valley in December 2021, which killed 14 and forced thousands of residents to evacuate.

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