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.
