The Johor government will reconsider new housing projects in the state to ensure that developers also focus on improving drainage systems, such as monsoon drains.
Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, chairman of the State Housing and Local Government Committee, said the move is part of the state government’s efforts to address the flood problem.
“In a housing project, usually the developer will only build a retention pond and a drain, from which water will flow into a not properly maintained monsoon drain.
“When it is not maintained and water volume increases, the monsoon drain that was built 10 to 20 years ago will not be able to cope with the increased flow. That is why from now on we will be looking at this matter at the local authority level (PBT),” he said.
He stated that the majority of the flood hotspot areas involved 36 locations administered by the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB).
“In Johor Bahru, for example, water flow has a great impact because it is dense and one of the oldest cities with many old houses and high-rise apartments.
“Last week, it rained heavily for less than two hours causing the road at Wisma Persekutuan to be flooded.
“At the MBJB level we have already discussed the technical aspects (to deal with) and it will be implemented immediately, and if the issue involves high tide and heavy rain we will use a pump system to remove water into the sea,” he added.
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