KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur is expanding the use of underground flood retention ponds as DBKL looks for new ways to mitigate flash floods in the land-scarce area, says Hannah Yeoh (pic).
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) said among the sites identified are Perdana Botanical Gardens and Padang Merbok.
Yeoh said the move was part of broader efforts to strengthen the capital’s flood resilience as land constraints limited the construction of new retention lakes.
“That’s why last time it was flooded around Parliament.
“Now with this on-site retention pond, it will be mitigated,” she said at the National Climate Governance Summit 2026 forum yesterday.
Yeoh said more than 60 on-site retention ponds had also been built by private developers as part of planning conditions imposed by DBKL.
“So when they want to construct, City Hall will impose a condition – build an on-site retention pond,” she said, adding that she will engage in talks with other states.
Yeoh said she is working closely with property developers to ensure new projects contribute meaningfully to flood resilience and public green spaces, rather than just meeting planning requirements.
“We have regular engagements with the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Kuala Lumpur to encourage developers to incorporate practical sustainability measures into their projects.
“Instead of fragmented pockets of greenery, developers should also provide accessible public parks complete with facilities such as jogging tracks that can be used by children, senior citizens and people with disabilities,” she added.
The minister acknowledged there were many issues in Kuala Lumpur which could not be reversed instantly.
“It has to go stage by stage and we have to get the private sector to be involved to support environmental conservation and improve urban liveability in Kuala Lumpur,” she said.
