Not usable: A fire hydrant that has been vandalised. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KLANG: The biggest problem faced during the hot season is low water pressure, according to an assemblyman here.
“That is why the Fire Department goes around with huge water tankers to douse out fires as they don’t solely depend on hydrants,” said Port Klang assemblyman Azmizam Zaman Huri.
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He said some areas in his constituency, such as Telok Gong, used to have low pressure issues, but the problem is being countered by Air Selangor with the installation of new underground pipes.
“Some of the pipes here are about 40 years old and they burst if the water pressure is too high. These pipes are being replaced and are still being replaced.”
According to Azmizam, the former Klang Municipal Council, now known as the Royal Klang City Council (MBDK), also makes it a point to go around fire-prone areas during the hot season.
“Their Pantas squad goes around these areas and when a fire is spotted, they put it out immediately. Most of the time, this prevents the fire from spreading,” he said.
Second-term Pandamaran assemblyman Tony Leong said some parts of his area are more prone to fire as the structures there are mostly wooden.
“I remember a fire in an open space in Port Klang in 2021 and when the fire engines arrived, the water pressure in the hydrant was low,” said Leong.
When he spoke to Air Selangor and the Fire and Rescue Department following the incident, added Leong, he was told the pressure was okay but the pipes were old and some of the hydrants had been vandalised.
“There are some copper parts in the hydrants and these are often stolen, which impacts their (the hydrants’) functionality,” said Leong.
He hopes the government will allocate more funds so that the low pressure issue can be countered with the replacement of old pipes.
Meanwhile, MBDK Environmental Services Department director Zaireezal Ahmad Zainuddin said the council always cooperates with the Fire and Rescue Department, which is in charge of fire hydrants.
“We always help in the event there is a need,” he said.
