Runoff from a construction site pouring into a drain in Jalan Petaling. – Photo courtesy of SWCorp
UTILITY companies whose cables and pipes are found inside drains, monsoon drains or manholes are partially responsible for Kuala Lumpur’s flash flood problem and must take responsibility for the damages, says Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) Federal Territories director Ummi Kalthum Shuib.
“I have seen it myself when I went to the ground recently with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi (Che Ngah).
Ummi Kalthum wants KL mayor to take action against errant companies.
“I saw the cables and pipes clogging the inside of drains and saw so many cables jutting out of drains, with rubbish stuck inside.
“I was furious and I told the mayor that he must take action.
“I have sent letters to utility companies asking them to monitor the works of their contractors, which (tend to be) shoddy,” she said.
Ummi Kalthum said utility companies should come up with better standard operating procedures when cleaning up waste after their contractors finish work.
“They have to take responsibility for this,” she added.
Ghani says utility companies should send clean-up crews.
Local Agenda 21 (LA21) secretariat and coordinator A. Ghani Mohamed agreed with Ummi Kalthum that companies should be involved in clean-up efforts as they were also responsible for the mess.
Following massive flooding on April 25, DBKL launched 14 interim measures targeting 25 flash flood-prone areas in the city.
“The mayor said part of the measures involved public participation of clean-up activities in flood hotspots of all 11 parliamentary areas,” said Ghani.
“He suggested plogging activities twice a week and creating litter- free zones.
“I think this is a good idea and utility companies should also participate. Perhaps then they will understand just how serious the problem is,” Ghani added.
Bukit Bintang Central Environment Committee (BBCEC) chairman Simon Leong said they should not put polypipes inside the drains.
“There are better ways of doing things.
“I agree they should help out in cleaning activities. We are having a plogging activity on June 10 and a massive gotong-royong session on July 23 in Bukit Bintang. We hope to see their people participate,” added Leong.
Leong says polypipes should not be put inside drains.
SWCorp wants DBKL to take action against contractors whose construction debris and sand from work sites have washed into drains and clogging the waterways.
Ummi Kalthum cited the case of a construction site in Kuala Lumpur responsible for some 10 tonnes of sediment, silt and sand being washed into drains and roads in the area recently.
In February, the same construction company was responsible for 18 tonnes of debris washing onto roads and into drains.
“Alam Flora removed the silt and sand from almost 1km stretch of the road. It took the company hours to clean up,” said Ummi Kalthum
“There were no proper outlets for the discharge of the runoff.
“Developers and contractors need to come up with better SOPs and take responsibility,” she added.
