MACC senior investigations director Hafaz Nazar said the investigation was opened in 2022 following complaints of alleged abuse of power involving several Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and department of irrigation and drainage (DID) officers between 2015 and 2021.

“MACC conducted a comprehensive probe based on the documents and evidence obtained before the investigation paper was completed in 2023 and referred to the deputy public prosecutor.

“However, based on the outcome of the investigation conducted, no elements of corruption were identified and the case was classified as (requiring) no further action,” he said in a statement.

The allegations investigated included claims involving the rezoning of several areas near water retention ponds in the capital, including in Taman Wahyu, for development purposes.

Hafaz said MACC nevertheless reminded DBKL in 2023 to tighten monitoring and regulatory oversight of projects near flood retention ponds to ensure contractors fully complied with the stipulated conditions and specifications.

He also said any breach of development conditions affecting the functions of flood retention ponds would fall under the responsibility of the local authorities to take action and provide explanations, as DBKL has jurisdiction over monitoring, regulatory oversight, and development approvals.

His statement comes a few days after federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh said the capacity of Kuala Lumpur’s flood retention ponds had shrank to about 30% of their original size.

Yeoh said the reduction in size was caused by the alienation of 17 land lots within the Jinjang and Batu retention pond zones to developers since 2015.

She also said DBKL will not approve planning permission for any development application on flood retention pond land until conditions stipulated by the DID are fully complied with, to ensure that the ponds’ original function and maintenance access are preserved.