MP rains criticism on DBKL over floods, stolen balloon

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/276715 (6/10/2014)

A DAP lawmaker has suggested that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) hire professionals to solve the flash floods problem.
"Since DBKL is clueless, helpless and has no knowledge on how to solve the flash floods issue, I suggest that an open tender be provided to allow professionals to take over," Lim Lip Eng told a press conference today.
He said that professionals or irrigation specialists might have better solutions.
Lim was referring to a news report quoting DBKL director-general Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz as saying that it is time to go back to the drawing board.
Stolen balloon
The Segambut MP also addressed the RM120,000 flood warning system in Kampung Kasipillay, which residents dismissed as a "waste of taxpayers' money".
The system was termed as a "wasted effort" because ever since the balloon was vandalised and stolen a few months ago, DBKL has done nothing about it.
"DBKL should remove the empty cage (which housed the balloon) and come up with a better long term solution," said Lim.
The flood warning balloon, which was located next to Sungai Batu, would rise up once waters reached the dangerous level of 50 metres, warning residents and motorists.
The warning system, apparently the first of its kind in the world, had been rife with problems ever since it was installed as a joint effort between DBKL and the Drainage and Irrigation Department  (DID).
Gross negligence
Meanwhile, Lim also lambasted DBKL for stating that it is not liable for any damages caused by the recent flash floods.
"If the vehicles were parked at a parking lot, whose parking fees are collected by DBKL, then they should be fully liable for the damages caused by the floods," he stressed.
He claimed that it was gross negligence on DBKL's part for refusing to compensate the owners of vehicles damaged by floods if the parking bay is in a flood-prone area.
"I understand if the cars were parked at the roadside where no parking fees were collected, then yes, the owners of the vehicles are responsible for the damages," he added.
Lim was referring to Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz saying that DBKL is not liable to pay damages because the flash floods "was one of the many natural disasters in Kuala Lumpur."