SHAH ALAM: Taking precautions on the hard-learned lessons of natural catastrophe in several states that displaced over 200,000 people late last year, the Selangor state government will come up with a new standard operating procedures (SOP) for all developments built on slopes and areas prone to disasters.
Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said that the new SOP will include repair and mitigation works for drainage systems at the areas identified and the development of retention ponds at all housing areas.
"These are some of the measures that will be included in the SOP and it is in accordance with the practice of developed nations.
"In our recent state executive council meeting, we have discussed for the need for the state government to ensure that the state retain at least 30 per cent rate of forest areas in the state and ensure no further enroachment.
"We have also asked for the state's law advisor to look into provisions in the law to see whether we can resort to more severe action against forest trespassers.
"We need to make sure that what happened in Cameron Highland and Gua Musang will not happen in Selangor," he said after launching the Flood Clean-up Mission by local councils at the state secretariat building, yesterday.
On a related matter, the state government has pledged RM5 million through the contribution of government-linked companies and private sectors in the state on refurbishment works for states affected by the floods.
Azmin said that the state government has been dispatching officials and workers from the local councils to the flood-hit states to conduct cleaning and rebuilding exercise.
"The state has committed itself to rebuild houses for flood victims in Kelantan. We have met with several contractors and developers and we will finalise the module of aid soon and hopefully we can start this project immediately.
"As of now, the state government has contributed RM500,000 to Kelantan state government to build temporary shelters for displaced flood victims as the school session will start very soon," he said.
