MCA Youth: “Frequent flash floods in Penang yet local MP is still telling people to wait patiently?”

AN MCA Youth leader has slammed Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin for calling for victims to be patient after several parts of Penang, including Bayan Lepas and Kepala Batas were recently hit by flash floods following continuous rain.

Its secretary-general Saw Yee Fung said the PKR lawmaker’s ignorance of the matter has added salt into the wounds of the flood victims and does nothing to resolve the issue.

“The issue of flash floods in Bayan Baru has been ongoing for quite some time. Sim, who has served as an MP for three terms and a state assemblyman for one term – totalling 15 years – has yet to resolve the problem,” Saw lamented.

“It is unreasonable for him to request flood victims to exercise patience; are they expected to wait yet another 15 years?”

Last Thursday (Sept 12), Sim had voiced his frustration about weaknesses in the floor mitigation plan (RTB) for Bayan Baru and Batu Maung after two flash floods happened within a week recently.

Following an urgent meeting to discuss the Phase 1 of the Bayan Baru and Batu Maung RTB, Sim revealed that one of the main issues in Phase 1 was the relocation of utilities, such as Penang Water Supply Corp pipes, TNB cables and Internet cables, which was complex and costly.

As such, he called for everyone’s patience as they are dealing with complex problems that could not be solved overnight.

Problem has worsened

According to Saw, while it is understandable that flood management plans cannot be implemented overnight, 15 years should be sufficient to carry out various short- and long-term flood mitigation plans if one had the determination to see it being carried out.

“Yet, not only is the problem persisting but it has actually worsened. The frequency of flash floods in Bayan Baru, which used to occur three times a month, has now escalated to twice a week,” she stressed.

“As an elected representative, Sim should prioritise assistance or aid to these flood victims, or, at the very least, set goals and deadlines for the flood management plans. An indefinite waiting time is simply not viable.

“The flooding has caused significant inconvenience and financial losses for the residents of Bayan Baru. Every rainy day brings fear and anxiety to the people, while their elected representative only talks about ‘future plans.’”

Saw further called for Sim to stop offering “empty assurances” and take concrete actions to assist flood victims, investigate why flood management seems to be worsening, and make the details of the flood management projects and future plans public for further scrutiny.

“The people deserve to know where every cent of public funds is being spent,” she added.

“Flooding should not be a part of people’s lives, and elected representatives must do their job rather than make excuses and ask for more time and ‘patience.’” – Sept 16, 2024

 

Main image: The Star

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