KOTA KINABALU: Many businesses at the popular Market 88 in Kepayan Ridge commercial area here were forced to shut down after the place was hit by a flash flood.
Major roads and the low lying shops were flooded following a brief shower around 6pm on Tuesday (Aug 20) evening, trapping many consumers at the commercial area popular for its eateries.
Residents and business owners have blamed an ongoing road widening project for the incident, which had not occurred before.
The road widening project was a traffic mitigation measure following the recent launch of a mixed residential-commercial development, adjacent to the Market 88, which was strongly objected by the residents.
National Consumer Foundation Sabah branch chairman David Chan said the authorities like the city hall must monitor closely the project as floods would affect hundreds of residents and businesses in the area.
"They should act immediately in getting the contractor undertaking the road broadening project to ensure that drains are flowing properly and not clogged," he said.
Ronald Cooke from Austral Park stood against the new development, saying the residents foresaw the problems ahead when they protested against the project which was launched early this month.
"We never had flood in the area, this is the first time it is so severe," he said.
Cooke claimed that it was a clear reflection of "poor town planning".
"It is time for a comprehensive study at the whole development in the area," he said, adding that they feared that Market 88 would become a flood prone area.
"We were assured by Luyang assemblyman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe that a win-win situation between the developer and the residents will be created but so far we don't see any win for the residents.
"Till today, we are still waiting for the authorities to tell us where the replacement for the mandatory 10% open space for Austral Park residential area will be," he added.
