‘ACT AGAINST TUNNEL MAINTENANCE TEAM’
Action must be taken to prevent flash floods, says activist
THE Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) has urged the authorities to take action against those responsible in maintaining the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart) in the city centre.
Its lead activist, Datuk Nadzim Johan, said action needed to prevent occurences of flash floods in the Smart tunnel, with the latest incident occuring on Sunday, when several areas in the city were hit by flash floods and mudflows.
He said such incidents should not have happened, especially in the federal capital.
He also said many city folk were also concerned that the flash flood affected the Smart tunnel.
“The tunnel in Jalan Tun Razak was submerged during the flash flood.
“There were other areas that were affected, such as the parking lot of a supermarket located beside the Smart tunnel.
“We look at this matter seriously as it involved victims who were trapped in the tunnel,” said Nadzim in a statement issued yesterday.
He said flash floods should not be taken lightly as it destroyed infrastructure and endangered people’s lives.
“The government should take action in identifying the cause of the flash floods in those areas.
“Action should taken against those responsible for what happened,” he said.
Nadzim said the construction of the RM1.93 billion Smart tunnel was to resolve flood issues in Kuala Lumpur and to reduce traffic congestion in Jalan Sungai Besi and Jalan Loke Yew during peak hours.
However, those roads were plagued by traffic congestion and flash floods.
The other areas affected in Sunday’s flash floods were Jalan Pudu Ulu, Jalan Cheras, Jalan Pudu Perdana, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Wirawati and areas near the Hiliran Ampang People’s Housing Project (PPR).
It was reported that fallen tree trunks along two routes had resulted in a gridlock.
“Some motorists were also trapped in the Smart tunnel following the downpour.