KLANG: The Selangor state government is conducting a detailed study to identify critical locations for new retention ponds and drainage upgrades to address flash floods, particularly in urban areas.
State Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the study would focus on areas requiring urgent solutions, including Shah Alam, Klang and Kajang.
"Selangor is currently receiving various flood mitigation projects from the federal government worth more than RM4bil, some of which are being implemented or nearing completion, while others are still in the planning stages.
"We acknowledge that flash flood issues still need to be addressed, particularly in urban areas such as Shah Alam, Klang and Kajang. We will therefore study and identify the critical locations for the construction of retention ponds or the widening of drainage systems,” he told reporters after officiating the Selangor State Budget Town Hall Programme: Kita Anak Muda 2026 here on Saturday (Oct 17).
When tabling Budget 2027 on Oct 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of RM100mil for the development of retention ponds and river maintenance to reduce flash flood risks in the Klang Valley.
The federal and Selangor state governments also agreed on five key measures to address flooding, including assessing the capacity of the Batu Dam and Klang Gates Dam to meet water requirements over the next 30 years.
Izham said that besides constructing retention ponds and upgrading drainage systems, he had also proposed alternative flood mitigation measures, including a ‘water highway’ in the Klang Valley.
He said the proposal had previously been presented to the Prime Minister, who requested that it be studied thoroughly before being included in Water Master Plan 2.
Meanwhile, Izham said the federal government had approved RM40mil to address flash floods around Bukit Raja, including i-City. However, the upgrading project was still at the design stage and would require more time before implementation.
He said his portfolio was also expected to receive additional allocations under the Selangor Budget 2027, to be tabled next month, for road and flood management projects under the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS).
"We do indeed have high-value projects. The matter will be announced by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari later,” he said.
On frequent accidents along Persiaran Mokhtar Dahari, Izham said a proposal to upgrade the route was being finalised.
He said the proposals included increasing the number of lanes from two to three, including at intersections, although implementation would involve relatively high costs.- Bernama
