GE15: Hulu Langat voters want next MP to push implementation of flood mitigation project

HULU Langat voters want the next MP to push for implementation of Phase 2 of the Sungai Langat flood mitigation (RTB) project.

Floods have been a major problem for the constituents for over a decade.

The announcement of the Sungai Langat RTB project in 2020 brought them a glimmer of hope but it dimmed when there was no sign of the works and their flood woes continued.

Batu 21 village chief Mohd Razak Jalaludin said the people were desperate for a permanent solution to the flood problem, which was promised by the second phase of Sungai Langat RTB project.

He said the worst hit areas were Batu 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.

At present, he said only minor remedial works were done to damaged riverbanks and drains, which did not help much.

“Kajang Municipal Council does attend to our complaints on clogged and broken drains, but the cause of the flood is much bigger and affected all areas along the river.

“The project is said to take five years but it hasn't even been launched yet,” he said.

Phase 1 of the project was implemented in other districts, such as Sepang, along Sungai Langat.

Hulu Langat, located near the borders of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, is a tourist attraction.

Many urbanites head to the district on weekends to enjoy rest and recreation at the rivers such as Sungai Congkak, Sungai Gabai and Sungai Lopo.

Batu 16 Dusun Tua village chief Md Gadapi Ahmad Harmaini said the influx of vehicles on weekends caused major traffic congestion.

“The roads leading to these tourist attractions are old and congested not only because of the high number of vehicles, but also due to the many roadside stalls especially on weekends.

“The residents have to put up with traffic congestion on a daily basis, during rush hours on weekdays and at all times on weekends. A better traffic plan needs to be put in place.

“The population in Hulu Langat is increasing due to the new residential development. But the job opportunities in the district are too few, forcing the youth to head out of the area for work daily and this adds to the congestion,” he said.

Gadapi said the rubbish collection system also needed a revamp.

“This district has a high number of villages," he said. Resident Hamdan Abu, 65, said he placed hope in the Sungai Langat RTB project to solve the flood problem permanently.

On the traffic problem, he said there were many highways connecting to Hulu Langat, namely Lekas, PLUS, SILK, Sungai Long and Grand Saga.

"But people like me prefer toll-free roads because paying even a nominal amount daily can amount to a significant sum every month.

“The cost of living is rising, so we want to cut our expenses as much as we can,” he added.

Hamdan also highlighted the lack of public facilities in the densely populated district which reportedly is home to over 1.3 million people.

“Hospital Kajang does not accept outpatients, so we have to go to Hospital Serdang which is 30 minutes away.

“Schools in the district are known to be overcrowded and there are not enough banking facilities either,” he said.

“We need the next Hulu Langat MP to look into these matters,” he added.

Hulu Langat parliamentary seat will see a six-corner fight in the 15th General Election. They are Datuk Johan Abd Aziz (Barisan Nasional-Umno), Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Abd Latif (Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu), Mohd Sany Hamzan (Pakatan Harapan-Amanah) and Datuk Markiman Kobiran (GTA-Pejuang).

Joining in the battle will be Datuk Abdul Rahman Jaafar from Warisan and an independent candidate, Dr Mohamed Mustafa.