By Sulyn Chong
SHAH ALAM, Oct 12 — Everyone in Selangor must play a role in flood preparation and the mitigation plans as it is crucial in ensuring the well-being and safety of all.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said an assurance to the public of the state’s readiness in facing the impending floods includes the involvement from the top leadership to the volunteers on the ground.
“The state executive councillors have been prepared and given specific roles to handle during the disaster.
“All volunteers have also been briefed and trained while baskets containing daily necessities are set to be distributed according to the needs of flood victims,” he said during a live broadcast programme on Bernama Radio this morning.
Amirudin also stated that the state’s well-being and safety will require cooperation from its citizens and not depend solely on state agencies or departments.
“Everyone has a role to play in ensuring we are all safe, as we learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has given us a valuable lesson whereby everyone should do their part in keeping the entire nation safe and that is exactly what needs to happen in Selangor.
“Don’t just wait on government agencies and departments to do their jobs, citizens need to play their part too, such as not throwing rubbish into our rivers, keeping the streets clean and reporting clogged drains if they see any,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said that the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) has been reminded to clean up clogged drains throughout the state and speed up the flood mitigation plan (RTB) project in hotspots in preparation for untoward incidents.
“JPS will make sure all states in Selangor are clean from rubbish and nothing is blocking water flow.
“Even rural areas such as Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat are inspected and not just the urban cities such as Shah Alam or Petaling, to make sure that no one is left behind,” Amirudin reassured.
Additionally, he said that he is glad to see that the rubbish fished out of the Sungai Klang by the Selangor Maritime Gateway is reducing day by day, but is still disappointed to see large bulky rubbish still being thrown into the river.
“There were large bulky wastes such as large cupboards and even a teddy bear, probably thrown in when the owner was in anger,” he said in jest.
Amirudin had then reminded the people that all disaster management needs to be a concerted effort and it should be done from the very top, even before the disaster arises because everything is linked to one another and that climate change is real.
He added all interested parties who wish to contribute in cash and kind or participate in helping during the flood are advised to contact the state secretariat office or any state councils.
