Their spokesman, Umagandhan Krishnan, said they are determined to ensure Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari, who is currently in Ayer Kuning for the by-election campaign, receives their memorandum demanding a permanent solution to the recurring floods.
“We had made it clear that if there’s no official statement from the government, we would hold a peaceful assembly today.
“We want a permanent solution. Too often, we’re only given short-term answers,” Umagandhan told reporters at Taman Sri Muda.
Earlier, 40 residents boarded a bus to the Ayer Kuning state constituency in Perak to meet with Amirudin and deliver the memorandum.
Kota Kemuning assemblyman S Preakas, who was present at the protest, tried to explain the situation in Taman Sri Muda and said he had been actively assisting flood victims on the ground.
However, tensions flared when he was asked by some residents to stop speaking. Calm returned when he ended his speech.
On April 14, FMT reported Umagandhan as saying that two newly-built water pumps in the area had failed to operate properly during the recent bouts of heavy rain, resulting in floods on April 11.
He said that pump station workers told him that only the older pump was working.
Umagandhan said about 700 houses were affected, with floodwaters rising to the knee and waist level, while more were affected by shallow waters.
He claimed that there had been no visits, statements, or aid provided by government representatives or agencies, despite most of Taman Sri Muda’s residents being in the B40 group.
He also said the residents were aware that the government was planning to organise a town hall meeting next month, but “by then, we will have water up to our necks”.
Amirudin, in response, assured the residents that he understood their concerns following the recent flash flood.
“A long-term solution must be implemented urgently, and the cooperation of all parties – including the federal government – is crucial to ensure that the devastating 2021 floods do not happen again,” he said in a statement.
He said he has asked Selangor’s infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim to immediately identify and implement necessary follow-up actions.
“This includes engaging directly with affected residents and reviewing the effectiveness of all flood mitigation measures undertaken by the state government,” he said.
Amirudin added that his political secretary Saifuddin Shafie will convene an emergency meeting tomorrow involving all relevant agencies, including the Shah Alam city council, and the irrigation and drainage department, to ensure urgent and coordinated response.