Citizen Nades - Let’s start with clean drains

WE cannot prevent flooding, one former mayor famously told the media, because Kuala Lumpur is in a valley. At that time, some of us dismissed this as a load of bull but many gullible ones quoted him word for word.
Years later, a Cabinet minister described the floods as "an act of God" and it was to be repeated last week. The sad truth is that while we cannot stop the rain, the perennial flooding can be prevented.
Three weeks ago, there was a twist – corruption is the cause for the city to be flooded. Money or money's worth can do wonders but surely it cannot change the weather or force the skies to open up! The hard truth is that corrupt people are causing the floods.
On May 17, Bernama quoted the Federal Territories minister as saying the ministry was investigating whether corruption caused weaknesses in development and maintenance projects leading to flash floods in the city.
He said this in response to a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the government would investigate if there were elements of corruption in development projects in the federal capital that set off the recent floods.
"We will go after those who caused the floods, including contractors … and also check on their sub-contractors. We will also look at the officers entrusted with supervising the contractors," he said.
The issue took another turn when the Deputy Federal Territories minister said that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) cannot be held responsible for an act of God.
Speaking in the Parliament's Special Chambers he said: "You cannot punish anyone for an act of God. If we can control the rain and the wind, then we can consider (compensating the affected motorists)."
Everyone is expounding their theories but no one wants to admit the fault is at their doorstep. So for a good measure, the floods became the perfect platform to deny the existence of corruption in DBKL.
We are asked to believe that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission went through all the files, recorded statements and completed their investigations and ruled out corruption – in just nine days! "There is no element of corruption in any form between DBKL and its contractors," the same minister said.
So, if corrupt officials colluding and scheming with contractors did not cause it, who did or how did it happen? One does not need a degree in rocket science to get to the source of this problem. A drive around the city will provide the answers.
A statement by Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri in Parliament cited clogged drains among others as the cause of the floods. He said many local councils did not follow the government's Environmentally Friendly Drainages Manual and did not collect rubbish according to schedule.
Almost everywhere, new buildings are coming up. But can the roads, drains and other facilities cope with the increase? How come density ratios are increased without taking into account other factors?
In Petaling Jaya, a developer bought two rows of single-storey terrace houses and tore them down. In their place, he plonked a 22-storey condominium. Waste water from this building goes to the same narrow drain. These situations are not unique to this city. This a nationwide phenomenon where planning authorities care two hoots – even from residents nearby.
For formalities' sake, a public hearing is held, but despite the vehement opposition, it's always the man with the deepest pocket who wins.
Even at development stage, who ensures that contractors build silt-traps to ensure that the silt from all the digging and building is not washed into the drains? Who ensures the government's Erosion Sediment Control Plan is followed during construction works? The muddy brown water that engulfs our drains after a downpour is testimony of this.
Some politicians and government officials have an innovative and inventive gift for being able to spin a yarn with a straight face.
Malaysians will remember the lawatan sambil belajar by a group of government officials to Venice and Amsterdam. Asked the reason for their trip, their answer was: "We went to study how we can use our waterways for transportation, thereby cutting the number of cars on our roads!"
When the SMART Tunnel was commissioned, citizens were assured that Kuala Lumpur's woes are over. But the novelty of laughing at such ludicrous statements is wearing off.
Flooding is a major problem and it has to be tackled head on instead of providing excuses when there is huge economic loss to the people. We need answers – not excuses.
R. Nadeswaran escaped the recent floods by a whisker but those who were caught in it had plenty to tell. Comments: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com