Hefty fines for causing floods
NST 02/12/2006 Sonia Ramachandran

SHAH ALAM: What is the point of building retention ponds but failing to ensure rain water can flow into them?

That must have been the question running through the heads of state as three developers received hefty fines of between RM25,000 and RM275,000 for doing just that.

Three companies’ negligence was said to have led to flash floods in three areas in the state capital on Nov 11 and 25, enraging Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.



Speaking to reporters yesterday, State Infrastructure and Public Amenities Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said Paramount Property Development Sdn Bhd was levied a fine of RM25,000 while I-City Properties Sdn Bhd and SJ Properties Sdn Bhd were told to pay RM275,000 each.

He said Paramount Property Development was found to be negligent in causing flash floods in Bukit Kemuning, while I-City Property was guilty of the same offence at the Sungai Rasau toll. SJ Properties’ negligence caused floods in Kampung Melayu, Subang.

Paramount Property Development is the developer of Section 33, I-City Properties developed Section 7, while SJ Properties was the developer for Section U9.

Abdul Fatah said the state government had directed the Shah Alam City Council and the Department of Environment (DOE) to take stern action against the developers.

"The Menteri Besar was very upset when the flash floods occurred and ordered strict action to be taken against the developers concerned.

"Developers have to be sensitive to the effects of their development in an area as their negligence and lack of monitoring will result in the suffering of residents in surrounding areas when floods occur," he said.

Appeals on the amount of the fines, said Abdul Fatah, would not be entertained.

He said the companies had two weeks to settle the fines.