The school field has an uneven surface which has been patched up with soil following the latest flooding incident. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
CHAN Kok Peng vividly remembered that whenever there was a downpour, the SJK (C) On Pong field in Pekan Ampang, Selangor, would be flooded.
“Back then in 1988, I had two pairs of shoes as a pupil at the primary school.
“In case one got wet from the rain, I would still have a dry pair for the next day,” he said.
Now that he is his alma mater’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman, he is saddened that the same problem has yet to be resolved after 35 years.
“We suspect that the flooding may be caused by shallow and old drainage in Pekan Ampang, which has not been upgraded.
Chan says the flood issue has existed since he was a pupil in the primary school.
“On April 9, the flooding at the school field was the worst and water level was knee-deep.
“On other occasions, the floodwater rose up to one or two-feet high.
“Vehicles could not come into the compound and pupils had to wade through the water to get to their transport pick-up,” he said in a press conference at the school.
School board of director chairman Datuk Ong Seng Khek said the school field and shops nearby would be flooded whenever it rained.
“Floodwaters damaged the school field and its pavements.
“These have to be repaired for races to be held during our annual sports day,” he highlighted.
He said the school had complained about the flooding to the authorities, along with a proposal of concrete solutions.
“We have raised the matter with Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and it sent contractors to unclog drains,” he said, adding that this too had not solved the problem.
Ong said the school would turn 111 years old this year and was celebrating its anniversary on Nov 11.
He hoped to resolve the flood problem before the celebration.
School board of directors assistant secretary-general Albert Chin said the flooding had to be addressed as floodwaters mixing with wastewater from a nearby wet market could be potentially hazardous to pupils.
During a site visit to the school, StarMetro found that the field had an uneven surface because of soil displacement after the floods.
Ong (left) with board members inspecting shallow drains around the school that result in floods.
Patches of sand were used to fill up holes in the field as a temporary measure.
Drains surrounding the school are shallow with stagnant water.
Within the SJK (C) On Pong compound is the On Pong Kindergarten.
Parent Andre Lai, who used to send his daughter to the kindergarten, said a long-term solution to solve the flood problem was needed.
“Pekan Ampang has always been neglected by MPAJ and the long persistent flooding experienced by the school is evident of this,” he said, hoping to engage with the council to find a permanent solution.
An MPAJ spokesperson said the council received complaints on flooding from the school board on Feb 14 and visited the school on Feb 17.
“We found the drains damaged and clogged.
“The drains can no longer cater to the rainfall volume, causing water to overflow into the school compound.
“MPAJ recommended that the upgrading of drains in front of the school be done using the 2023 Marris (Malaysian Road Records Information) fund,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that upgrading job would be tender out and work was expected to start early July.
