Kuala Lumpur Mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz today said that 13 flood mitigation projects are in the pipeline to alleviate flood problems in the city.

“DBKL will be spending RM30 million in next year’s budget.

“We will be focusing on expansion of the drainage system and upgrading of retention ponds,” he said after presenting the budget at DBKL’s headquarters.

DBKL Engineering and Urban Transport Department director Thomas A Richards said these projects will be carried out in low-lying areas in Jalan Duta near Taman Botani, Jalan Pantai Baru, Jalan Batu Muda Tambahan and Jalan Semantan.

“We have carried out the tender process for three projects in Jalan Batu Muda Tambahan. We expect the rest of the projects to begin early next year.”

On housing, Amin said DBKL has allocated RM345 million to build “council homes” for married couples and bachelors.

“We have allocated RM80 million to build homes in Kampung Udang Segambut. We will also be partnering with the private sector to build homes in Razak Mansion, Sungai Besi and in Kampung Keramat, Titiwangsa.”

DBKL will be building 200 such homes for married couples, who will be charged rental of RM300 to RM500 per month.

The couples will only be allowed to stay in these 650sf homes for five years.

The council will also be building 200 units of homes with a built-up area of 800sf for bachelors. These will have five bedrooms and the bachelors will be charged RM80 a month.

On rent defaulters at low-cost housing schemes, Amin said DBKL’s enforcement officers had issued 1,000 notices to the defaulters this year.

“We have also brought 3,100 individuals to court for defaulting on their rental or renting out their homes.

“This year alone, we have confiscated 500 units from those found renting out their units.”