The vacant land beside the Kepong KTM Komuter station walkway was once overgrown with bushes but it has been cleared by KTMB.
Rivers must be desilted more frequently closer to the monsoon season to reduce the risk of flooding in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said the flood-prone areas were impacted most by three rivers, namely Sungai Toba, Sungai Batu and Sungai Kayu Ara.
“In the past Sungai Penchala was desilted twice a year and later the frequency was increased to four times a year.
“Why not desilt the rivers more often when the monsoon season is approaching?
“From our findings, when there is a flood, even the metal railings are damaged, so placing sandbags by the river may not be enough to combat the intensity of the floods,” she said.
Areas often affected by Sungai Batu bursting its banks include Kampung Kasipillay while a flooded Sungai Toba would impact Kampung Masjid Segambut, Kampung Segambut Bahagia, Kampung Segambut Bahagia Tambahan and Kampung Segambut Luar.
Yeoh suggested that the authorities collaborated with the construction sector on getting the sand out of the rivers, adding that this would also help Kuala Lumpur City Hall save on cost.
She encouraged better coordination among flood relief officers currently stationed under white tents at flood-prone areas.
“Send officers there based on the weather condition as there is no need to station them there all the time.
“When it is not raining, they have nothing to do and this is a waste of resources,” she said.
Yeoh recently visited a 200m stretch of vacant land beside the Kepong KTM Komuter station walkway in Taman Bukit Maluri, which had previously been overgrown with bushes, and also had sugarcane and banana plants.
The walkway had also been poorly lit, making it dangerous for commuters.
She had requested Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) to clear away the bushes and brighten up the space.
KTMB cleared the side of the walkway and 34 fluorescent lights were replaced, making it a bright and airy space now.
“I hope the place will be well-maintained from now on. KTMB should include this walkway in its cleaning schedule.
“The tall overgrowth before this made it possible for robbers to hide among the bushes. Women, especially, did not feel safe walking here,” said Yeoh.
She said there were also complaints of stray dogs in the area and called for the animals to be relocated.
On a different matter, long-time resident Ng Cheong Hock, 67, said he used to take the Komuter to Petaling Street but it was not as easy now as the train did not stop at this station as often as before.
“We hope the train will stop at the Kepong station more frequently as many residents want to use the service,” he said.
A KTM spokesperson said track replacement works were in progress and as such, the frequency had to be reduced.
He also said the cleanliness of the place would be monitored.
“The lights for the walkway are turned on from 7pm to 7am daily and we have replaced some of the faulty lights.
“We urge the residents who plant at the vacant land beside walkways to take care of their plants.
“Otherwise, the overgrown plants will make clearing the place difficult,” said the spokesperson.
