By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Oct 22 — RM10 million has been allocated to strengthen embankments in Tanjong Karang and Kuala Langat, said state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim.
To this end, the state government will employ the “schematic precast system” (SPS) method, which is more robust.
"Selangor has river embankments stretching 700km, and the coastline is estimated to be 300km. Strengthening all embankments is impossible due to the high cost, so we have identified embankments that frequently erode, which will be replaced with stronger ones.
[caption id="attachment_341931" align="alignright" width="411"]
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim delivers his speech during the handover of aid to fishermen at Kampung Sungai Sireh in Port Klang, on January 9, 2024. — PIcture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"Initially, a RM10 million allocation of has been approved, and we will use SPS, which is faster, cheaper, and stronger. These two locations will serve as pilot projects, and the system will eventually be expanded to other areas," he said.
Izham was speaking at a ceremony where RM1,000 in cash and equipment were handed over to 500 farmers and fishermen at Dewan Jubli Perak yesterday.
Last week, water overflow from Sungai Bernam due to a broken embankment affected three villages in the area.
Meanwhile, Izham said the issue of slope maintenance throughout Selangor will be brought to the Selangor Economic Action Council next week to be adopted as a policy.
"Recently, we held a committee meeting with the Department of Minerals and Geosciences and the local authorities involved. A presentation of the standard operating procedures for slope management will be made next week.
"We must remember that most of these slopes are like ticking time bombs that do not show signs, as in the Batang Kali incident where the slope suddenly collapsed due to failure at the foot of the slope," he said.
Izham was referring to the early morning landslide which occurred at the Father's Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali on December 16, 2022, where 92 campers were affected. Sixty-one survived while 31 deaths were reported.
