SHAH ALAM: Enforcement and legal action are effective methods to stop people from contaminating rivers and encroaching on land along riverbanks in Selangor.
This was one of the issues stressed by Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in his royal address at the opening of this year’s state legislative assembly sitting on Monday (March 14).
The Ruler said he hoped the people of Selangor would play their respective roles to ensure the drainage systems and rivers in their respective areas did not get clogged and were always clean and in good condition.
He said the dumping of garbage into rivers should be prevented as this could contaminate water quality as well as cause flash floods.
Sultan Sharafuddin also advised the state government to prioritise efforts to counter flooding and flash floods that were becoming rampant in Selangor.
"This includes preparing short- and long-term plans to deepen and widen rivers, ensuring the drainage system is well managed and building floodgates at locations that monitor rainfall and the high tide levels.
"The best method to counter floods have to be identified immediately including getting professional service and new technology from within and outside the country," said Sultan Sharafuddin.
Given that the population of Selangor has reached more than 6.5 million with some areas having a high density of residents, the state government had to have a more effective future plan so that the people of Selangor would not be burdened by flooding, said the Ruler.
Sultan Sharafuddin said all action and response must be quick without any stalling as it involved the loss of lives and property.
"I hope that every project to overcome floodings such as the building of bunds or deepening rivers is done properly so that it will be effective for a long time to prevent worst flooding from happening.
"I am saddened and unhappy to see the damage after the flooding faced by the people.
"In the event all parties are still not serious and lackadaisical in facing the flooding, not only the government will face losses but the people will also be burdened," said Sultan Sharafuddin.
The Ruler said he hoped the Federal and state governments would put aside their political differences and work together to counter the flooding problem in the Klang Valley so that the people would not have to endure terrible suffering and trauma during the rainy season.
According to Sultan Sharafuddin, both the East Coast Rail Line and MRT3 Circle Line which would be built through the state had been closely scrutinised with various factors taken into consideration.
This included its mark on social impact and the environment which have to be protected for the future generation.
"I truly hope the implementation of these projects will not create a consequence or terrible disasters that will adversely affect my people who would have to bear the long-term brunt if development projects are carried out haphazardly, carelessly without monitoring and control by the parties involved," said the Ruler.
Given this, Sultan Sharafuddin reminded all parties involved including the Federal and state governments, to ensure that work is carried out in an orderly and good manner.
Sultan Sharafuddin also reminded the state’s assemblymen to focus on efforts and carry out their responsibilities to improve the living standards of the people in the constituencies in order to develop the state’s economy and prosper Selangor.
"I don’t want elected representatives to spend their time politicking for their respective party’s interest only until they neglect their duties and role to care for the people.
"Don’t just play politics day and night for your personal interests," said Sultan Sharafuddin.
The Ruler also thanked the many volunteers and staff from the various government agencies who had helped and worked during the flood operations.
Sultan Sharafuddin said the quick mobilisation of the state agencies’ personnel had enabled rescue and cleaning work to be carried out immediately.