The Star, Wednesday November 19, 2014
Aid
for the council: Rajoo (standing, fifth from left) handing over safety
equipment and tools to Hassan (fourth from left) at Menara MPKj. With
them are Eco World Development Sdn Bhd group liaison head Datin Natrah
Abdullah (standing, fourth from right), MPKj department heads and the
Pantas team. — Photo by S.S. KANESAN
THE Kajang Municipal Council
(MPKj) is planning to build several retention ponds to help ease
flooding in the town, says council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul
Rahman.
Hassan said they were scouting for locations to build an underground retention pond as well as a dual-system retention pond that could be converted into a field for sports.
“We are discussing with a developer to allocate three acres of land for this.
“In Bangi, Tasik Cempaka doubles as a retention pond and recreational spot for local residents,” he said.
A thorough study on suitable locations as well as costing will be done within the next six months.
“We estimate the project to cost around RM1mil,” said Hassan.
Commenting on last week’s flash flood, Hassan said the clearing of forests around Kajang for older development projects had contributed to the problem.
“Kajang is in a low-lying area and is shaped like a basin. When it rains heavily, the water flows from Sungai Jelok to Sungai Langat.
“However, there are no more trees to slow it down, resulting in a backflow and floods.
“Currently all new developments in the area are required to set aside at least 5% for a retention pond to help mitigate the fast water flow,” he said.
The council is working with various agencies, including the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS), Public Works Department (JKR) and local developers on comprehensive flood mitigation methods, he said.
“JPS is currently doing upgrading works on Sungai Jelok such as deepening the river, while JKR has plans to upgrade the bridge along Jalan Bukit in town, which needs to be raised to a higher level,” said Hassan.
Meanwhile, Eco World Development Sdn Bhd has pitched in to help MPKj deal with disasters and emergencies by donating RM23,000 worth of safety equipment and tools.
These included safety shoes, hats and goggles, shovels, walkie talkies, raincoats, bolt cutters, light reflecting vests, water pump and high-powered water jet.
The items will help the council’s Quick Response Team (Pantas), to provide quick response to emergencies such as flash floods, clearing up of fallen trees as well as helping other agencies in cases of fires or landslips.
Hassan said the equipment would help the 30-member team work more efficiently, especially in situations like the recent flash flood.
“The high-powered water jet will come in handy, especially in cleaning mud and silt from drains and roads, while the safety goggles can be used by our staff to protect themselves while clearing fallen trees,” said Hassan.
Eco World Development Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Datuk S. Rajoo said the contribution was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility effort to help the community.
“We are happy to work with MPKj to create a better township,” said Rajoo.
Hassan said they were scouting for locations to build an underground retention pond as well as a dual-system retention pond that could be converted into a field for sports.
“We are discussing with a developer to allocate three acres of land for this.
“In Bangi, Tasik Cempaka doubles as a retention pond and recreational spot for local residents,” he said.
“We estimate the project to cost around RM1mil,” said Hassan.
Commenting on last week’s flash flood, Hassan said the clearing of forests around Kajang for older development projects had contributed to the problem.
“Kajang is in a low-lying area and is shaped like a basin. When it rains heavily, the water flows from Sungai Jelok to Sungai Langat.
“However, there are no more trees to slow it down, resulting in a backflow and floods.
“Currently all new developments in the area are required to set aside at least 5% for a retention pond to help mitigate the fast water flow,” he said.
The council is working with various agencies, including the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS), Public Works Department (JKR) and local developers on comprehensive flood mitigation methods, he said.
“JPS is currently doing upgrading works on Sungai Jelok such as deepening the river, while JKR has plans to upgrade the bridge along Jalan Bukit in town, which needs to be raised to a higher level,” said Hassan.
Meanwhile, Eco World Development Sdn Bhd has pitched in to help MPKj deal with disasters and emergencies by donating RM23,000 worth of safety equipment and tools.
These included safety shoes, hats and goggles, shovels, walkie talkies, raincoats, bolt cutters, light reflecting vests, water pump and high-powered water jet.
The items will help the council’s Quick Response Team (Pantas), to provide quick response to emergencies such as flash floods, clearing up of fallen trees as well as helping other agencies in cases of fires or landslips.
Hassan said the equipment would help the 30-member team work more efficiently, especially in situations like the recent flash flood.
“The high-powered water jet will come in handy, especially in cleaning mud and silt from drains and roads, while the safety goggles can be used by our staff to protect themselves while clearing fallen trees,” said Hassan.
Eco World Development Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Datuk S. Rajoo said the contribution was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility effort to help the community.
“We are happy to work with MPKj to create a better township,” said Rajoo.
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