Seputeh MP urges officials to heed community concerns over flood retention pond

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok urged officials to listen to Kampung Bohol residents, who strongly oppose replacing a nearby flood retention pond with a housing development. 

“I hope the authorities which approve the project can take note of the voices on the ground,” Teresa said via X. 

She was referring to a report that claimed residents in Kampung Bohol, Seputeh, are vehemently opposed to plans to remove a local flood retention pond for a proposed housing development.

Ng See Eng, speaking on behalf of the residents, demanded transparency regarding the approval and suspension of the project.

“We demand that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the irrigation and drainage department provide us with a detailed and transparent briefing on the proposed project.

“We urge the government to halt all approvals immediately and consult with us,” he told reporters here.

He emphasised that residents are advocating for government funding to enhance the flood retention pond, aiming to fortify the area against future floods, rather than permitting the developer to modify the pond in exchange for development rights.

Ng was concerned that the proposed project could exacerbate traffic congestion and elevate the likelihood of flooding in the vicinity.

“Houses in Kinrara, Puchong, have experienced severe flooding several times recently,” he said, reported FMT. 

He claimed that these floods were caused by excessive development on the Kuala Lumpur/Puchong border and the failure of the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond to function properly. 

“We would like to ask DBKL and the government why this ‘high-density project’ was quietly approved without consultation with MPs, state assemblymen, and the Subang Jaya City Council,” said Ng.

On November 4th 2010, the area was formally designated and gazetted as an area for flood mitigation. 

Despite earlier promises to cancel the land deal due to objections from residents, stakeholders, and MPs, the government is proceeding with its intention to revoke the land’s public use status, said The Star on Monday.

On May 8, the Attorney-General’s Chambers issued a notice in the federal government gazette declaring the intended cancellation of the land reservation for public use under Section 64(2) of the National Land Code.