RSN Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) said the Sungai Pinang river basin flood mitigation plan’s (FMP) third phase has been delayed since 1999 and a sum of RM150 million promised for that phase “never came” from the federal authorities.
“The people of Sungai Pinang and Dato Keramat have been suffering from bouts of flash floods for decades.
“And despite asking for promised funds to be given to Penang, nothing has come. So I would like to ask the state executive council and legal adviser if we can sue the federal government.
“Perhaps that way the monies could be expedited for the sake of the people of Sungai Pinang and Dato Keramat,” he said during this morning’s Question and Answer session at the state legislative assembly sitting today.
Sungai Pinang and Dato Keramat areas are located at the downstream of the Sungai Pinang river, which is often prone to flash floods.
In the 9th, 10th and 11th Malaysia Plans, the federal government allocated a total of RM1.79 billion for flood mitigation in Penang. But since 2006 to September this year, only RM443 million was received.
Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Padang Kota) said the matter will be raised by the state executive councillors present but pointed out that filing a lawsuit could be risky.
“I am afraid if we win the next general election (GE14), we will be the next federal government. Then it will be like suing ourselves,” he said to a chorus of laughter from the backbenchers.
Rayer then responded by saying the suit can be called off in case Pakatan Harapan wins the polls.
The second meeting of the fifth term of the Penang legislative assembly begins today and will end on Nov 13.
The Sungai Pinang River Basin FMP is a vital project to curtail floods at low-lying areas near Penang island’s longest riverine, Sungai Pinang.
The three-phased FMP was first initiated by the federal government in 1998 to address frequent flooding problems.
The first phase of the project began in 1998 with the widening and deepening of the river from the estuary to the Jalan Patani bridge, at a cost of RM6.45 million.
The second phase was carried out between the Patani Road bridge and Dobby Ghaut in 1999.
The final and third phase was to focus on the final upstream portion of the river.
It is two-pronged: first to improve the water quality, and secondly, to widen and deepen the river.
This particular phase was delayed as the city council had to remove squatters by the riverbank to allow the mitigation project to take place.
The squatters were cleared about two years ago.
In the state legislative assembly sitting in November last year, it was revealed that most of the FMPs approved in Penang were in BN-held areas.
Here’s the proof — federal govt gave only RM443mil for flood mitigation
Federal govt flood fix only for BN areas, claims Penang Exco