Path of neglect: Retiree K. Varatharajoo, 75, walking in Delima 15 public park in Bandar Parklands, Klang, which has uneven walkways and overgrown trees and is prone to floods. — AIDA AHMAD/The Star
RESIDENTS of Bandar Parklands in south Klang are frustrated over the deteriorating state of their neighbourhood.
For years, they have endured a range of unresolved issues, from frequent flooding to neglected public amenities, with little to no long-term solutions in sight.
The Bandar Parklands Residents Association (RA) Coalition in Zone N46D of Bandar Bukit Tinggi 3, along with other RAs from south Klang, have raised concerns about the lack of timely maintenance by Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) and other authorities.
The RAs say poor drainage systems, lack of tree maintenance and potholed roads are impacting their lives and posing a safety hazard.
The coalition represents about 10 neighbourhoods, including Kota Bayuemas, Taman Bayu Perdana, Delima 4-5, Delima 15, Delima 16, D-Laman, and Canary Garden KSL.
Twenty-five large trees fell during a thunderstorm on Nov 25 in Kota Bayuemas and Bandar Parklands, damaging security fences and properties as well as blocking roads.
Flood woes
Poorly maintained drainage systems, worsened by clogged drains, have led to recurring flash floods inundating homes and businesses in the area.
Residents claimed that the local authority had failed to conduct timely maintenance and repairs.
“We believe all the drains carrying rainwater from the various residential areas here are heavily silted and not cleaned regularly.
“When we complain, the council sends workers to clear the drains, but they leave the silt by the roadside, where it gets washed back in,” said Mohan Govindaraju, 67, a retiree.
Mohan: The tecoma trees have not been trimmed for more than six years.
He explained that smaller drains in front of houses were particularly problematic, with many having collapsed and requiring urgent repair or replacement.
The situation was compounded by incomplete flood mitigation projects.
For instance, he said work on a sump in Jalan Batu Unjur 1, Taman Bayu Perdana, meant to channel excess rainwater run-off across to Bayu Tinggi and into a retention pond in front of Giant Klang, remained unfinished.
He also noted that pumps intended for the project have yet to be installed.
“We need proper infrastructure for a tropical country like Malaysia, where heavy rainfall overwhelms the existing drainage system,” Mohan pointed out.
The flood issue had previously been brought up at the Selangor state assembly, notably by Pandamaran MP Tony Leong who complained that the flood issues he had raised at previous sittings had not been addressed.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim had, during the sitting last month, said that more multi-agency meetings would be held to coordinate flood mitigation measures in the Klang district.
The parties involved include MBDK, Public Works Department (JKR) and the respective housing developers.
A huge tree fell and cracked the glass awning of a home during the storm.
Poor maintenance
Mohan also highlighted an underground retention pond over 10 years old in Bayu Perdana that had never been cleaned.
During the December 2021 floods, former MP Charles Santiago visited the site and questioned the local council about the lack of cleaning, only to be told it was due to budget constraints.
Mohan said cleaning of the monsoon drains had been done sporadically, but in the process, workers damaged the steel grates meant to prevent debris from entering the pump sump.
“This negligence has worsened water flow issues, which have persisted for 15 years,” he added.
A residents’ representative from Bandar Puteri, Abdul Rashid Abdul Kadir, 71, also shared that the township was one of the worst hit during the December 2021 floods.
Abdul Rashid: Bandar Puteri was one of the worst hit during the December 2021 floods.
“Water from the Bandar Puteri retention pond overflowed, badly flooding Jalan Kerongsang 10 and 11. We have four zones comprising Pending, Kerongsang, Gelang and Sanggul.
“Different places flooded at different times,” said the retiree.
Unkempt public spaces, roads
The lack of proper maintenance extends to parks, roads and public amenities.
According to residents, city council contractors fail to adhere to scheduled grass cutting and drain cleaning, sometimes visiting only once a month instead of every two weeks.
Delima 4-5 RA deputy chairman Capt (Rtd) T. Thevendran said: “We monitor their timing at our guardhouse. The contractors often fall short, and no one is held accountable for ensuring the work is done properly.”
Retiree K. Varatharajoo, 75, highlighted the worsening condition of Jalan Delima 1 and Jalan Delima 8, where potholes had multiplied due to heavy construction vehicles for upcoming high-rise apartments.
“Why isn’t the city council monitoring the construction work and ordering the developers to take care of the road? The area is becoming worse because of the heavy vehicles on the road,” he said.
He also complained that parks had been neglected too.
“The Delima 15 public park, once a beautiful space, is now poorly maintained, with uneven walkways, overgrown trees and flooding that has turned the area into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
An underground retention pond over 10 years old that residents say has never been cleaned. It is at one of the three playgrounds in Bayu Perdana along Jalan Pegaga that borders Taman Chi Liung.
Untrimmed trees
Residents are also concerned about overgrown trees, which pose safety risks during storms. These untrimmed trees have caused property damage and electrical disruptions.
“These tecoma trees, some over 12m tall, have not been trimmed in more than six years.
“A falling branch during a storm recently missed my neighbour and his grandson by inches,” said Mohan.
On Nov 25, a thunderstorm caused significant damage in Kota Bayuemas and Bandar Parklands, with 25 large trees toppling and blocking major roads like Jalan Pendamar and Jalan Bayu Impian 28.
Kevin S, 49, a pilot, said his property on Jalan Bayu Impian 15B/KS9 was damaged by falling trees during the afternoon storm.
“Strong winds caused large trees to fall onto the side of my house, damaging my glass awning and the fencing outside,” he said.
Kota Bayu Emas RA deputy chairman Brian Raj said residents had lodged numerous complaints about untrimmed trees but the city council’s response was slow.
Brian (left) and Varatharajoo showing an old tyre placed in a manhole with missing cover on Jalan Delima 8 in Bandar Parklands, Klang.
The lack of clarity over jurisdiction is also causing problems.
Residents had to rely on volunteers and their own resources to clear the debris while waiting for help from the authorities.
Brian said some roads were under MBDK’s jurisdiction, Jalan Pendamar was under the Public Works Department, while other affected roads were under the developer.
“After the storm last month, some residents who were Four-Wheel Drive Club volunteers helped to clear Jalan Bayu Impian 28/KS9 using chainsaws.
“Ten members from the Sri Andalas Fire and Rescue Station arrived around 5pm to help cut the giant tree.
“There was one resident who owned a tractor who helped the fire-and-rescue team and volunteers for three hours,” said Brian.
He said a team from MBDK arrived at about 7pm with the developer’s landscape workers who helped to remove the trees that were blocking the roads.
Jalan Delima 8 in Bandar Parklands, Klang, is in poor condition with several large potholes which residents say are caused by heavy vehicles.
MBDK councillor Alan Chua, who had also visited the area, said on his social media page that he had contacted MBDK’s Landscape and Recreation Parks Department and their Enforcement Department to take immediate action.
“I am grateful and appreciate the dedicated local residents who acted quickly by voluntarily cutting the fallen trees.
“Their services are very meaningful to the community, and this commitment should be set as an example,” said Chua.
Moving forward
Residents are calling for urgent action from MBDK and other agencies to address these problems.
“Mayors come and go, and councillors try to do their best.
“But the top-down method is used for execution of services. It should be bottom up,” said Brian.
He suggested that infrastructure supervisors meet RA committees regularly and go through a checklist of things to address.
He also wants MBDK department heads to meet with councillors and zone RAs every three months to ensure strict enforcement, so that contractors do not do shoddy work.
