By Joshua Woo Sze Zeng
The recent flash floods caused by heavy rains has again led many to question the state government’s commitment to flood mitigation in Penang.
Among them was the Penang MCA Youth chief Michael Lee Beng Seng, who accused the state government for the flood at the Penang International Airport.
“The DAP-led Penang state government seems to adopt a ‘wait and see’ attitude towards the Penang International Airport’s flash flood, which explains why the long-standing flood problem is not resolved till now and the state government suffered loss of reputation.”
Joining him was Teluk Bahang assemblyman Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah from Umno, blaming the state for not upgrading the drainage system.
But nothing can be further from the truth. The DAP-led state government is committed to flood mitigation measures in Penang.
Federal Government’s indifference
Within six months after coming to power in 2008, the state government had launched its first action plan to deal with flood issues in view of the flood at Jalan P. Ramlee, Teluk Kumbar, Teluk Bahang, and Kampung Tok Suboh.
They appealed to the Federal Government for RM970 million to spearhead seven flood mitigation projects and build 50 water pump stations and five retention ponds.
The Federal Government did not approve the proposal.
Again in 2015, the state government submitted another request for RM805 million allocated for flood mitigation under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
The amount will be spent in flood mitigation projects in seven areas: Sungai Pinang (RM450 million), Bayan Lepas (RM153 million), Sungai Juru (RM80 million), Sungai Jawi (RM40 million), Sungai Prai (RM35.4 million for mitigation, RM35 million for restoration), and Sungai Kechil (RM12 million).
The request fell on deaf ears, the appeal was rejected. Even the RM200 million flood mitigation project for Sungai Pinang allocated under the earlier 9th Malaysia Plan was also likewise dismissed by the Federal Government.
Therefore, the recent preventable flood is the result of the Federal Government’s apathy. The Barisan Nasional government is indifferent towards the plight of Penangites.
As for the Penang International Airport, which is under the purview of the Federal Government, the installation of the new On-Site-Detention tank was already completed in July 2015. The tank should have the capacity to prevent flood.
However, it has failed. The Department of Drainage and irrigation thinks that the flood may be caused by the airport’s own drainage system.
State government’s own effort
Nevertheless, even without Federal funding, the state government continues to set aside its limited budget for flood mitigation purposes. Here is the list of relevant state government’s spending:
As shown here, contrary to the charges by critics, the Pakatan Harapan government has spent hundreds of millions for flood mitigation measures over the years while the Barisan Nasional government remain unresponsive to the people of Penang.
It is clear that the MCA Youth chief and the Teluk Bahang Assemblyman are scapegoating the state government for something that their coalition leaders have failed to do.
Joshua Woo Sze Zeng is the Organising Secretary of Bukit Mertajam Dapsy and Special Officer to the MP for Bukit Mertajam.
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