There was a major feature in The Sunday Times on the final solution to solve the persistent flood problems of Kuala Lumpur.

As a resident of Kuala Lumpur from 1971 until 1978, there used to be floods perhaps two or three times a year, and the floods would subside after one to two hours.

Of course, every time it flooded, there were the usual excuses of too much rubbish in the river and too many hills being cleared so that when it rained heavily, the drains got clogged and there were so-called "lightning response" teams formed who would ensure that floods would not recur.

Of course, "progress" could not be denied and KL became even more developed with major developments in the Ampang Hill and Kenny Hill areas and after the collapse of a high-rise condominium, there was a major outcry and the usual beating of breasts that such a tragedy would not recur.

Meanwhile, the only forest reserve within an hour's drive of Kuala Lumpur, the Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve has slowly been eaten up and appears in danger of disappearing in the next 10 years.

The most glaring failure of the authorities is the construction of the Star-LRT station (at the Tun Perak bridge) across the river and at least two meters below the top of the bund.

Now we are having a RM2 billion project (smart tunnel) that may not have been necessary if we demolished the LRT station for say RM1 million, and that could be achieved within four months. This project of rectifying a major flaw of the LRT is not that complicated as I do not think any tracks are involved and it is relatively simply to construct the new station near the existing one but with a greater ground clearance.

The RM2 billion project boasts of cutting-edge technology but we appear to be just getting all the technology without getting more mundane matters solved. In this case it should include:

  • The removal of all major obstructions across rivers in the flood-prone areas

  • The control and removal of all squatters along all river banks upstream of the flood areas

  • The monitoring and control of all factories upstream of KL

  • The control and elimination of dumping activities along the river

  • The proper maintenance of the drainage system with removal of rubbish dumped in the river.

Of course, these mundane tasks would not attract so much glamour as the RM2 billion project. Dare I say that less profit is also available?