The Star, Monday December 29, 2014
Kajang town inundated by flash floods less than two weeks ago.
THE year 2014 has been an eventful one for Kajang folks, and not exactly for the right reasons.
First there was the by-election, after former Kajang PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh resigned just eight months after he was elected.
Dubbed the “Kajang Move,” it was seen as an attempt to secure a place for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Selangor state assembly, which would then pave the way for him to become Mentri Besar.
However, as he was still tied up in his legal wrangle, PKR president Datuk Dr Wan Azizah became the replacement candidate.
Months down the road, some Kajang residents feel that an end to their woes is a long way off despite promises to solve issues such as the frequent flash floods.
Flash floods happened in September, November and this month, all mainly affecting traders near Pasar Besar Kajang.
Some, like flowershop owner Low Hoon Hang, feel “misled by the promises made in Wan Azizah’s manifesto,” and felt that the by-election was a “waste of time.”
“There has not been much engagement between the current assemblyman and the rakyat in Kajang. We need a representative who is really for the people, not just in name only,” said Low, who is also Taman Bukit Mewah Phase 8 Residents Association chairman.
Low said traders near the market in particular, were dissatisfied the flash floods that had affected their businesses were still occurring.
Strolling past the shops in town, it is not uncommon to see elevated floors and high barriers — which cost thousands of ringgit in renovation work but a necessity for many shopowners to keep water from flowing into their stores and damaging their goods.
“It is bad to do business here now as insurance companies have blacklisted Kajang as a flood-prone area,” said Low.
Taman Sri Reko resident Sathyaseelan Tharmalingam agreed that more needed to be done to tackle the flash floods.
“The residential area is also affected, especially the field, roads and playground,” said Sathyaseelan.
“The authorities have raised the bridge near the market to a higher level but it is not enough to stop the heavy flow of water. There tends to be rubbish clogged up because people are treating the river like a rubbish bin,” he said.
He said overdevelopment in higher areas for commercial and residential projects was also to blame, as there were no trees to stop the flow and silt was washed down during rain.
Echoing Low’s views, Sathyaseelan said he had not seen much of Wan Azizah’s outreach work in Kajang.
“It was the same with Lee (Chin Cheh). In my opinion, the previous assemblyman, Cikgu Lee (Kim Sin) was a people’s representative. He was active in meeting residents and is still going around town today,” he said.
The Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) has been working together with
the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Public Works
Department (PWD) for a comprehensive solution to the flood woes.
Former MPKj president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abd Rahman, who retired earlier this month, had said DID was upgrading Sungai Jelok such as deepening the river while PWD would upgrade the bridge along Jalan Bukit in town which needs to be raised.
Plans were also in place to to build an underground retention pond and a dual-system retention pond to help mitigate flash floods in town.
MPKj’s quick response team (Pantas) has been getting the thumbs up from traders and residents alike for their quick clean-up process.
Meanwhile, Wan Azizah has maintained that she is doing all she can to solve issues in Kajang.
“The flood problem has been around for a long time, not only during my time as assemblyman,” she said, adding that she was on-site after the flash floods to speak to traders.
“I have spoken to DID on improving the drainage system. They have begun work for a retaining wall next to the market, which will hopefully help to reduce flash floods in the area,” she said.
On claims by residents that she was not on-ground often, Wan Azizah admitted that she sometimes had other obligations.
“I admit that I am not around all the time, especially when my husband is at court or when I am at the state assembly.
“When I can make it here, I will definitely be here. It is important as I have promised to offer my services to the people.
“For big issues such as the floods, of course I have to be on the ground. At other times, my service centre is always open,” she said, adding that she had a team of capable officers, councillors and staff who were ready to help.
Hulu Langat Wanita MCA president Loh Lai Kuen said while the flood problem had been an ongoing issue, Pakatan Rakyat did promise that it would resolve the issue within a certain period of time.
“As you can see, that has not happened,” said Loh.
She added that the “change of power,” from Lee Kim Sin to Lee Chin Cheh and then to Wan Azizah had caused “constant interruptions,” making it hard to carry out work properly.
“The people have elected Lee (Chin Cheh) and then he was removed, which feels to me like an act of betrayal to the rakyat,” said Loh.
She also noted that Wan Azizah had not been around Kajang often to monitor the situation there.
“As an assemblyman, one should be doing more on-ground work for the betterment of the public,” she said.
She said MCA was still servicing the people of Kajang but had limited resources.
“People are still free to visit our service centre if they need help,” she added.
First there was the by-election, after former Kajang PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh resigned just eight months after he was elected.
Dubbed the “Kajang Move,” it was seen as an attempt to secure a place for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Selangor state assembly, which would then pave the way for him to become Mentri Besar.
However, as he was still tied up in his legal wrangle, PKR president Datuk Dr Wan Azizah became the replacement candidate.
Months down the road, some Kajang residents feel that an end to their woes is a long way off despite promises to solve issues such as the frequent flash floods.
Flash floods happened in September, November and this month, all mainly affecting traders near Pasar Besar Kajang.
Some, like flowershop owner Low Hoon Hang, feel “misled by the promises made in Wan Azizah’s manifesto,” and felt that the by-election was a “waste of time.”
“There has not been much engagement between the current assemblyman and the rakyat in Kajang. We need a representative who is really for the people, not just in name only,” said Low, who is also Taman Bukit Mewah Phase 8 Residents Association chairman.
Low said traders near the market in particular, were dissatisfied the flash floods that had affected their businesses were still occurring.
Strolling past the shops in town, it is not uncommon to see elevated floors and high barriers — which cost thousands of ringgit in renovation work but a necessity for many shopowners to keep water from flowing into their stores and damaging their goods.
“It is bad to do business here now as insurance companies have blacklisted Kajang as a flood-prone area,” said Low.
Taman Sri Reko resident Sathyaseelan Tharmalingam agreed that more needed to be done to tackle the flash floods.
“The residential area is also affected, especially the field, roads and playground,” said Sathyaseelan.
“The authorities have raised the bridge near the market to a higher level but it is not enough to stop the heavy flow of water. There tends to be rubbish clogged up because people are treating the river like a rubbish bin,” he said.
He said overdevelopment in higher areas for commercial and residential projects was also to blame, as there were no trees to stop the flow and silt was washed down during rain.
Echoing Low’s views, Sathyaseelan said he had not seen much of Wan Azizah’s outreach work in Kajang.
“It was the same with Lee (Chin Cheh). In my opinion, the previous assemblyman, Cikgu Lee (Kim Sin) was a people’s representative. He was active in meeting residents and is still going around town today,” he said.
The by-election in Kajang took place after Chin Cheh resigned eight months after he was elected. — filepic
Former MPKj president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abd Rahman, who retired earlier this month, had said DID was upgrading Sungai Jelok such as deepening the river while PWD would upgrade the bridge along Jalan Bukit in town which needs to be raised.
Plans were also in place to to build an underground retention pond and a dual-system retention pond to help mitigate flash floods in town.
MPKj’s quick response team (Pantas) has been getting the thumbs up from traders and residents alike for their quick clean-up process.
Meanwhile, Wan Azizah has maintained that she is doing all she can to solve issues in Kajang.
“The flood problem has been around for a long time, not only during my time as assemblyman,” she said, adding that she was on-site after the flash floods to speak to traders.
“I have spoken to DID on improving the drainage system. They have begun work for a retaining wall next to the market, which will hopefully help to reduce flash floods in the area,” she said.
On claims by residents that she was not on-ground often, Wan Azizah admitted that she sometimes had other obligations.
“I admit that I am not around all the time, especially when my husband is at court or when I am at the state assembly.
“When I can make it here, I will definitely be here. It is important as I have promised to offer my services to the people.
“For big issues such as the floods, of course I have to be on the ground. At other times, my service centre is always open,” she said, adding that she had a team of capable officers, councillors and staff who were ready to help.
Hulu Langat Wanita MCA president Loh Lai Kuen said while the flood problem had been an ongoing issue, Pakatan Rakyat did promise that it would resolve the issue within a certain period of time.
“As you can see, that has not happened,” said Loh.
She added that the “change of power,” from Lee Kim Sin to Lee Chin Cheh and then to Wan Azizah had caused “constant interruptions,” making it hard to carry out work properly.
“The people have elected Lee (Chin Cheh) and then he was removed, which feels to me like an act of betrayal to the rakyat,” said Loh.
She also noted that Wan Azizah had not been around Kajang often to monitor the situation there.
“As an assemblyman, one should be doing more on-ground work for the betterment of the public,” she said.
She said MCA was still servicing the people of Kajang but had limited resources.
“People are still free to visit our service centre if they need help,” she added.
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