SHAH ALAM, Dec 9 — The Gombak District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) last week launched a large-scale community cleanup across 13 villages ahead of the northeast monsoon.
The effort, dubbed “Gotong-Royong Perdana”, was held on December 6 and involved 600 participants including residents, agency representatives, elected officials, students, resident groups, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The Gombak Land and District Office said the initiative was organised to increase public understanding of environmental cleanliness and strengthen the community’s readiness against disasters.
“This effort aims to raise community awareness on the importance of maintaining a clean environment, while enhancing preparedness to face the possibility of flash floods,” it said in a statement today.
The programme was carried out through close collaboration between five main agencies, namely, the Gombak District and Land Office, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), Gombak Public Works Department (JKR), and Gombak Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS).
It was also supported by several state constituency service centres, including Sungai Tua, Gombak Setia, Rawang, Hulu Kelang, and Kuang.
Among local leaders present were Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat, Gombak Setia coordinator and political secretary to the menteri besar A. Rahim Kasdi, and Hulu Kelang coordinator Juwairiya Zulkifli.
Previously, Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the northeast monsoon is expected to last from mid-November to March, with up to seven episodes of continuous heavy rain.
He warned that prolonged heavy rain over several days could lead to floods, particularly in areas near rivers and low-lying regions.
