Careless developers to blame for flash floods, says Negri MB

SEREMBAN: The recent spate of flash floods in the city were caused by irresponsible developers, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said these developers had failed to follow procedure when carrying out land clearing and earth works, leading to areas that never experienced floods before to be affected.

"Some developers, for example, failed to build retention ponds or did not build them to specifications.

"I have instructed the state exco in charge to get the local councils to act against them," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri here on Wednesday (June 16).

The authorities took action recently against developers in Senawang and Bahau for similar reasons, he added.

ALSO READ: Flash floods hit areas in Seremban

Several areas in the city have been experiencing flash floods in recent weeks due to the current wet spell.

In the latest incident on Monday June 13), several residential areas were hit with water levels rising to more than 0.5m in some places.

Aminuddin said the state government had taken measures to mitigate flash floods by deepening rivers in the area.

"We have started work in the Ampangan area and will commence in other areas soon.

"Apart from deepening the rivers and rebuilding damaged culverts, we also need to clear the rivers of debris such as uprooted trees to prevent a recurrence," he said.

ALSO READ: Floods: Negri govt to deepen rivers at 10 locations in bid to ease problem

On a separate matter, Aminuddin said the state PKR, DAP and Amanah will contest the seats they won in 2018 in the coming general election.

He said it should also be status quo for seats Pakatan Harapan allies had contested but lost.

"We are still holding talks on the six state seats which were contested by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia then.

"The final decision will be made by the Pakatan presidential council," he added.

On a statement by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismal Sabri Yaakob should call for the next general election after tabling the budget in October, Aminuddin said his administration would not follow suit by dissolving the state assembly.

"People are still burdened with a high cost of living and increasing prices of foodstuff.

"We should focus on addressing these issues rather than talk about elections all the time," he said, adding that the term of the current administration was set to expire in less than a year.