Flood mitigation plans for Ipoh

Rumaizi (third from left) receiving a mock cheque of RM211,500 from Chung (third from right) and association secretary Sing Kok Peng (on Chung’s left) at Ipoh City Council headquarters. With them are (from left) city councillors Chan Soon Yip, Tony Khoo and Albert Ho.

Ipoh City Council (MBI) is mulling building four underground water storage facilities as a flood mitigation measure.

Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the city council’s engineers were identifying suitable locations.

“I have yet to be briefed about it, but I was made to understand that our engineers are studying it,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after receiving mock cheques from Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Kek Look Seah Temple for their corporate social responsibility initiatives at the city council headquarters in Ipoh, Perak.

He had been asked earlier whether MBI would follow Kuala Lumpur City Hall, which was planning to build such facilities.

Rumaizi said the plan was to build such facilities near Sungai Pinji and Sungai Pari.

“The structures will store water from rivers when it overflows, and released when the water level of rivers drop,” he explained.

He said to mitigate flash floods, the retention pond near the army camp in Tambun would be deepened.

“We have already started digging and it is expected to be completed by the end of the year if rains don’t delay the work.

“We are also constantly monitoring rivers with the Drainage and Irrigation Department,” he added.

Separately, Kek Look Seah president Chung Yew Tong said the temple had pledged some RM211,500 to help non-Muslims who are unable to pay for funeral costs.

He said those needing the monetary aid would need to apply through MBI.

“Once the city council gives its approval, we will disburse funds to pay for urns, cremations and prayer services.

“At the moment, the allocation will benefit about 30 people and we will continue (to pledge) more once the money is used up,” he added.