THE Penang government has found that converting former fish farming ponds in Kampung Kolam, Permatang Pasir, into temporary flood retention ponds would not significantly alleviate flooding in the area.
Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government, through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), had studied the proposal but found several limitations that could undermine its effectiveness.
He explained that the village’s drainage system was not systematically designed, while the ground level of Kampung Kolam was lower than the level of the proposed retention ponds.
“Therefore, to address the flooding problem in the long term, the state government, through JPS, will further examine the proposal to construct tidal control gates under the Sungai Perai Phase 2 Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB).
“The project has been approved for pre-implementation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Rolling Plan 2,” he said.
Zairil (PH–Tanjong Bunga) was responding to an oral question from Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim @ Md Hashim (PN–Permatang Pasir) during the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
He added that the state government had also undertaken several small-scale preventive and maintenance works to minimise the impact of flooding in the surrounding areas.
“Among the initiatives was the rehabilitation of the Sungai Anak Jelutong drainage system and related works to reduce flood risks in Kampung Kota, Central Seberang Perai, at a cost of RM49,710 in 2024.
“Additionally, maintenance works along Jalan Ladang Sungai Perai, covering the stretch from Alor Sungai Jelutong to Alor Sungai Kubu in Central Seberang Perai, were carried out this year at a cost of RM200,000,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal