KDEB Waste Management workers cleaning drains in Taman Melawis, Klang. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
A strategic plan to clean up Klang and prevent flooding at hotspots is being drawn up by its local authority.
According to Klang mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain, immediate measures include improving cleanliness in all neighbourhoods through better service coordination.
“Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) is planning to hold a meeting with Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim and KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) to formulate a comprehensive strategy to guide efforts in delivering a clean city,” he said.
Even though he has only been mayor since Dec 2, Abd Hamid said he had received feedback from residents about wanting to live in a clean and well-maintained city.
Kampung Johan Setia inundated after continuous rain two years ago. — Filepic
“MBDK will develop litter prevention campaigns to ensure drink containers, plastic bags and food packaging do not end up in drainage networks, open water bodies and rivers.”
Abd Hamid added that MBDK would coordinate with other agencies – Klang Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Public Works Department (JKR) and Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) – in instances where rivers and drainage come under their purview.
Monitoring street cleaning
The strategic plan is also expected to bring about cleaner drainage networks which should lead to better water flow and reduce chances of overflow in a downpour.
On Dec 7, MBDK began a thorough cleanup of drains at flood-prone Jalan Melawis involving eight workers from KDEBWM.
Rubbish dumped at an open area along Persiaran Raja Muda Musa in Port Klang. — KK SHAM/The Star
Operations began at about 9.30am and ended around noon.
Abd Hamid said there had to be strict supervision and KDEBWM contractors must have a work completion log book.
“If a flash flood were to happen in an area, we can rule out clogged drains as a reason and find out what the real issue is to resolve surface runoff,” he said.
“Our supervisors in charge of street cleaning including drainage must ensure contractual requirements are met and improve their monitoring of workers involved in grass cutting and desilting of drains.
“Workers must abide by the twice-a-month schedule for drain cleaning, especially at flood hotspots.
“Clogged drains are one of the main causes of floods and when it rains heavily, the drains are not able to contain surface runoff if they are filled with mud, sand and dried leaves.”
On Dec 5, Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he was disappointed with the lack of cleanliness in the city and expressed concerns about flooding.
The Ruler said the cleanliness level in Klang was poor, with many areas “very dirty and unmanaged”.
Tuanku also said flooding occurred in the city because of clogged drains.
Sultan Sharafuddin said he had repeatedly reprimanded and advised local authorities and the state government to take effective action and plan carefully to resolve the flooding issue in Klang and several other districts in Selangor, yet floods continue to occur every year.
The Ruler ordered both MBDK and Selangor government to take immediate steps to alleviate flooding issues in the city and state.
A drain filled with vegetation and rubbish in Taman Sri Andalas, an area prone to flash floods. — Filepic
Flood mitigation projects
Klang’s strategic plan also comes after Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government was expediting implementation of flood mitigation projects following the Selangor Ruler’s reprimand over the state’s flooding problem.
Abd Hamid said 10 flood mitigation initiatives were progressing as planned in nine neighbourhoods, while another five were awaiting approval.
“All 15 projects are expected to alleviate floods during torrential rain,” he said.
“In total, RM17.5mil has been allocated for the projects which include drain upgrades and construction of retention ponds.”
Abd Hamid added that the remaining five, scheduled to start soon, were undergoing the quantity surveying process.
Abd Hamid: MBDK will develop anti-litter campaigns.
He said contractors were working hard to complete projects at Lorong Permai 6D in Taman Kota Pendamar, Port Klang; Jalan Kapar in Taman Sungai Kapar Indah and Taman Klang Utama in Kapar; Jalan Abadi and Jalan Beruas 2A in Taman Daya Maju, Meru as well as Bandar Puteri, Solok Matahari in Taman Melawis and Lorong Serampang 1 and Solok Sepat 2 in Taman Teluk Pulai.
Abd Hamid said MBDK would provide a new list of flood areas that needed to be addressed.
“MBDK is in the midst of compiling the list, which will be submitted to Selangor government so that flood mitigation measures can be formulated to resolve the issue.
Teluk Pulai main road in Klang inundated after continuous rain last year. — Filepic
“Addressing these flood areas can be challenging as it involves moving utilities and crossing highway routes, which can cause delays,” he added.
Abd Hamid said he had discussed the flood issue with Amirudin at a recent Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES) meeting and was told to provide a list to table in January 2025.
On Dec 12, Amirudin said the state government had established a joint task force consisting of federal, state and local government agencies for flood mitigation efforts to be looked at in their entirety.
He also said RM1.774bil had been allocated to mitigate flooding in the state and out of that amount, RM574.5mil was slated for Klang district.
