Ordeal of rebuilding begins
> Ex-Pulau Jerejak rep estimates losses incurred at RM300m
GEORGE TOWN: The devastating floods have receded in Penang and the last flood relief centre officially closed on Saturday.
At its height, some 9,000 people sought refuge in 42 centres.
Now comes the difficult part – the rebuilding of homes and offices as well as public amenities destroyed by floodwaters.
Former Pulau Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe estimated total losses incurred due to the floods at RM300 million, since the destruction was widespread and in some cases, permanent.
On the island, residents in Taman Seri Setia and their neighbours in Tanjung Bungah gathered to express their concern about the capacity of the drainage system to divert floodwaters during future rain storms.
Taman Seri Setia, which saw 30 of its medium-cost apartment units inundated last week, is 150m away from the landslide site which killed 11 people less than three weeks ago.
Its management corporation chairman Wong Fook Kong amassed over 100 signatures in less than 60 minutes during the event, signalling that the tenants there are getting worried about the nature of floods.
“I think the floodwaters exceeded three metres. And recently, a short raining spell saw waters rise to ankle high. We are worried as our security and safety is no longer guaranteed,” Wong said.
Many of the tenants suffered huge losses when the floods damaged their homes, vehicles and household appliances, he claimed, adding that there was no offer of compensation to those affected.
He will be submitting a petition to the state and the Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu about their plight soon.
The Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) has also gained a surge of support from their fellow residents, who were worried about the spate of landslides and flooding in their locality.
Association’s deputy chairman Agnes James said in a statement via WhatsApp that TBRA hopes to work closely with the state government so that it could have clear guidelines to support both quality development and sound preservation.