The floods in Penang last night created a lot of hardship and frustration. Let’s take a look at some of the root causes of the recurrent floods in Penang:
- Concrete jungle development increases surface run-off
- Hill cutting and hill-slope development
- Indiscriminate development and lack of green open spaces
- Poor drainage/clogging of drains
- Poor planning and oversight by the previous BN administration
- Climate change and rising sea levels?
Some of you have a good idea of what’s causing these repeated floods. But first, let’s hear from Dalbinder Singh Gill, who recounts his nightmare last night. He also discovers a little-known highway development:
I used the Jalan Tun Sardon road back to Bayan Lepas as the road from Batu Feringgi to Tanjung Tokong was closed due to a fallen tree. It took our 5-star authorities 90 minutes to clear one tree. WOW. I decided to U-turn and go up back. I should have stopped at a friend’s place but no, I used the road through Teluk Bahang-Balik Pulau-Bayan Lepas. I went through eight major landslides and eight major flood areas. Yes, I suffered (from the) massive floods. Having a big Bomba station up in Batu Feringgi-Teluk Bahang area is no use if the authorities do not know how to do its work. DAM IT!! In fact at certain strecthes we as drivers got down from our vehicles with umbrellas bracing through strong winds to clear some debris leaving small space for us to pass through as we dare not U-Turn or just stay there as we were fearing more rocks and trees and debris (after-rape products) to fall. Yet the newspapers reported that the authorities were busy clearing them up. Bulls*** or maybe not at the time when i was using that road.
Now I personally know how the rakyat are suffering. Yes, I had to pass urine in my water bottle thanks to our 5-star public toilet system and its locations. Along those roads, a major highway is being built. Isn’t the normal land road enough? Sounds like the previous government was making money behind closed doors like building this highway through the outskirts so nobody knows and the rakyat wont make noise as well especially those from the kampung whose voices are far from being heard. Yes, good way of making money. Our environment has been raped. Let’s do something: saying no to the reclamation of land is the first step.
Wet-wet-wet thinks hillslope development is responsible:
The authorities should study the root causes of the floods. Not just the clearing of rubbish that clogs our drainage systems, not just de-sludging or desilting of rivers. They should effectively ban development on hillslopes. They should increase the ratio of open space to paved-over areas in development projects to minimise surface run-off. Large carparking grounds should not be paved over with concrete or tarmac but should be made water-permeable, with intermittent concrete-grass surfaces. Rainwater discharge from roofs should be retained for re-use. Introduce closed system road drains like in Ipoh, so that rubbish is not discarded into drains. It requires more than just the knee-jerk responses we’ve seen from the previous administration.
Sam Gopal who lives in my apartment block, the basement level of which was submerged in knee-deep water, points the finger at the cutting of hill slopes:
All the problems can be traced back to the indiscrimate cutting of hill side slope along Bukit Gambir. Hope the state government can pull up all these developers who are raping the hillslopes along the whole of Jalan Bukit Jambul and Bukit Gambir.
Further south, in Bayan Baru, Anthony Tan says the lack of maintenance to land reclamation canals is to blame:
When the the south eastern coast started reclamation works in 1987, the water discharge from Bayan Baru area and its hinterland like Sungai Ara, Relau etc were extended further out by some 1.5km to 2km. It is all fine if the water discharged channels were deep to allow proper outflow to the sea. As far as I know, part of the deepening of these discharged channels were packaged with the reclamation work to deepen it. It was carried out according the the contract. But these channels were recommended to be maintained regularly – not more than every five years – by deepening it due to tackle the siltation.
From 1988 till now, there is no sign of any maintenance to these channels, so are we looking for trouble? There are already warning signs given to us now that urgent work needs to be done immediately – but when?
The people of Pantai Jerejak and Bayan Baru are looking forward to the state government to take action immediately where the BN have failed to carry out.
If nothing is to done immediately, we are just waiting for a major disaster to strike which is going to cause a lot anger, hardship, loss of property and even life. Prevention is better than cure in this instance.
Coming to a general point on flood in Penang, many areas have been experiencing floods especially the notorious Jalan P Ramlee and Sungai Pinang area. We are so proud of achieving 51 years of Mederka but this problem existed even before Merdeka and yet the BN government talks about … mega projects in Penang under their care for so many years. The flood problem has been there for donkeys years but nothing has been done to resolve the problem; no wonder the BN was sacked in Penang. What happened to the cleaning up of Sungai Pinang and how much has been spent? What has it achieved and where is the report on the project? Was it a success or failure?
For Plain Truth, the buck stops with former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon:
This is nothing new. Every time there is a heavy downpour, many parts of Penang island flood. KTK had failed to solve such a basic problem plaguing Penangites despite enjoying the trappings of office for eighteen years.
Penangites have only themselves to blame for keeping such an incompetent CM in office all those years.
Perhaps some of you could also share with us what you think is causing the floods over on the mainland.
On the bright side, if nothing is done to stop future floods, perhaps Tourism Malaysia may want to consider marketing Penang as the Venice of the East.
what cause floods … hmmm technically it is mother nature. but you can’t blame mother nature forever because mother nature has been giving rain for time immemorial.
but when you have people like KTK in public office and his super illustrious education background that reads Princeton, Uni of Chicago, Fullbright scholar-trained management ‘skills’ and ‘competence’ – we the penangite end up having floods.
therefore it’s a lesson to learn to never ever put academics in public office, please follow the example of global corporate – their top people are harden experience people not academics.
this is a classic case of high academic achievements do not equate capabilities. in KTK case it equate to ‘professional polisher’
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I live in Bayan Baru. I am so angry with this whole flood situation. The flood in July this year caused me a damage of about 30K and now again another flood. This is really unbearable. It is a total nightmare for me and my family and the people who are affected by this flood. The politicians should come live here, do the cleaning up and also pay for the damage and see how that feels. The last government has failed to stop this problem. Is the new government going to do something about it? I have already emailed DAP, Penang and might go to PKR office tomoorow. Something has to be done about this.
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I am a Penangite and am so proud of the current CM of Penang and DAP/PR govt … get this picture of the CM that turun padang …
http://www.chanlilian.net/2008/09/07/cm-lim-guan-eng-turun-padang-at-penang-flood-pictures/
when was the last time we see KTK turun padang and do something???? can anyone remember???
for the rest of you readers from other states … next GE get someone who actually works in public office – PR – the only choice!
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pretty obvious that mr.koh is a proxy for the umnoputra.a GEEK swimming with a bunch of mamaks shark
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‘You can not blame me or anyone because this is the doing of the hand of God’
– Samy Velu
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Hi Anilnetto,
I am glad and happy for the flooding and the landslides. At least now, people are waking up to the blatant environment destruction.
You can read my story here http://forestexplorers.blogspot.com/2008/09/flooding-in-penang-people-are-waking-up.html
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let see what the pakatan gov can do abt it??? now time for them to proof their talks.otherwise they are talking c*** too
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[...] Netto’s posts: floods submerge part of Penang and why is Penang turning into the Venice of the East – related to that very, very wet Saturday made me realise that my ‘uncertain and [...]
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Whatever the causes, don’t let Penang fall for that ploy in KL where they built a so-called ‘Smart Tunnel’ at some $billions which, as the Auditor General has reported, was opened for Toll collection even though till today the concessionaires have not complied with CF requirements and where the retention ponds are still only half way to completion.
Apparently, now if it rains heavily in KL neither the tunnel nor the retention ponds can take much more water. Which goes back to the spin only put about last year by the DID that the ‘Smart Tunel’ can only resolve 1/4 of KL’s flooding woes and that there was an underehanded process to get the Givt to commit to more ST’s, more tolls and more flooding because the 4 causes you have listed have not been seriously tackled.
You see, if you don’t get at attacking the root causes, nature has a way of hitting, Last week, there were massive traffick jams in KL when the ST was closed. They chose the most expensive way to mitigate flood and traffic, and it hasn’t worked.
And don’t be surprised if we have worse floods than normal during the monsoon season.
http://donplaypuks.blogspot.com
refer blog ‘The Sept 16th Chronicles’
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too many BN loud mouth on the Island, thAt’s why..
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Dear Anil,
A very well written article on the “Pearl of the Orient” being abused, neglected & destroyed for $$$ now resembling the “Venice of Asia” with every heavy torrential rain incident.
As we all understand, the greatest British Engineering achievements in Malaya were based on the simple study of the winds, the Relief- terrain, the mountain peaks, the jungle/forest trees/undergrowth & the weather/rain pattern to locate, plan & build our “Reservoirs” all over this nation which have been successful for many decades.
Unfortunately, Man in their greed for $$$, decided to rape the jungle/forest, then went further to cut the mountain peaks & hillsides (without any care about soil erosion, etc) for the upmarket Bungalow developments, etc.
The original winds, the Relief- terrain, the mountain peaks, the jungle/forest trees/undergrowth & the weather/rain pattern to locate, plan & build our “Reservoirs” has been “Destroyed” by Man resulting in barren mountains/hillsides (no trees to filter the dust & absorb the dew miosture), nil undergrowth to shade the soil from the sun’s heat, nil “Chinook” wind effect (winward side) to create cloud formation & rain on the Leeward side where the original reservoir is is located – dwindling water level now after decades of successful water catchment.
Further Man has built his “Concrete” jungle highrise Office & Apartment buildings within the city & surburbs = mountain peaks causing convective cloud build-up & rain over the city/surburbs.
With no proper “Long-term” planning on drainage, no reservoir/water catchment location near the Man made mountains, incessant clogged drains with rubbish, etc. – the flooding gets worst every year & too little too late with the “quick fix ban aid” on an adhoc basis everytime until this “Mother of all the Flooding” resulted – it is all Man made & “self inflicted” over many decades of “improper short-term planning, abuse, neglect, corruption & greed for $$$.
Penang needs a complete overhaul of its “Masterplan & Infracture replanning on a fast-track basis, stop all forms of Mountain/ Hillside jungle/forest destruction, hillside housing development & to make good on the terrian soil erosion, etc.
Man must stop blaming God for their own shortcomings & acknowledge-learn-plan to “safely” ride the “Forces of nature” rather than underestimate or fight it.
YB LGE has done well for Penang under the circumstances from “Ground Zero & Zero File” base he inherited & I am confident Penang can achieve much once its “Entitled” Infrastructure Development Funding can be released by the Federal body.
The state government & the Penangites should next find the solution to restore the Penang’s “Free Port” status which was part of the “Pearl of the Orient”.
As such the people of Penang must work together with YB LGE & his state government to dialogue, brain-storm & find the most “COST-EFFECTIVE” solutions for a “Long-term & also a “Fast-track” planning/implementation of the “Penang city Master Plan & Infrastructure”.
Also to consider the introduction of the proven alternative “Trams” from the surburbs to the city like in Hong Kong, Melbourne, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, etc to reduce the road traffic congestion & to bring back the “Nostalgia” of the “Pearl of the Orient”.
I have frequently visited Penang, enjoyed its beautiful & relaxed lifestyle, its Penang Club, Penang Sports Club, Swimming Club, the people, the night life & the Penang food wich is great.
Have been involved with a Penang based Charity Foundation for almost three decades & I am “humbled” to hear that you “used the Jalan Tun Sardon road back to Bayan Lepas as the road from Batu Feringgi to Tanjung Tokong was closed due to a fallen tree.”
Cheers & do keep up your great Blogsite.
flyer168.loke@gmail.com
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Truth is we are experiencing climate change. I don’t turn on my air-cond in rainy days. Some five years ago, I turn on my aircond on maybe 3/4 of the year. Last year I was still using my air cond maybe 25% of the year. This year, I have used my air cond less than 30 days so far and its going into the end of the year when I tend to use less.
But the other problem is no doubt development and lack of infrastructure. If you go to Singapore, you won’t get a good idea how much the govt there have invested in drainage. Do people know that undeneath Orchard Road is a river as big as Klang river – entirely underground. Singapore rivers and canal take huge expense AND NOW IT ALSO FLOOD OCCASIONALY – did not before.
Life is that way, just when you think you are fine, things have away of screwing with you. When you purposely ignore things like BN govt have done for years, it comes back to really f*** you.
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i would have said it is the poor drainage system. also penangites’ attitude of throwing rubbish in the drain and river!!
i live in bayan baru but was at macalister road (near new lane) when the flood happened. the hawkers at new lane said this was the first time after so many years their area flooded so badly.
i hope our present government will do something about the flood. even with only 2 hours of heavy rain, some areas will be flooded, and one of them is anson road where i have to use daily going to work. using the bike, it is indeed very difficult to ride through the flooded road!
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Why are Malaysians so nice about their homes being messed up everytime it rains?
Why won’t people get together and sue the developers for damages? Sue the Council!! Sue whoever else is involved in approving such irresponsible developments. Sue Koh Tsu Koon while he is still alive!! This is a crime! Why are are they getting away with it?
And,stop blaming God! God did not cause these floods. These people did.
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Oh boy am I glad that a good Dutch friend of mine send me your page, jeez, absolutely love it and I would love to share my findings with you. no I’m not a born and bred Asian, Dutch as a matter of fact. My Australian husband and I have been living in Penang for just under 3 years and love it. actualy I fell in love with Malaysia 15 years ago. I have been urged by many people to start writing here in Malaysia about Malaysia. amongst them many medical specialists and/or professors. I have been told that my views of the world around me is clear, honest and “refreshing”. I am objective, see both sides of the coin. we are retired and are very involved in helping the needy, meaning for instance the new “half-way-house” of The Lighthouse. no, we do not want to preach and most certainly do not want to improve the world around us, we just lend a helping hand if it is needed and fade away after that. we most certainly do not want any “thank you’s! I would find it a priviledge if my “foreign” views could be published on your website. I do write for a Dutch tourist website, making would-be tourist understand that there is more to Malaysia and Penang then sun, sand and beach and above all that it is a Muslim country and certain behaviors or “not done”. please find time to write back, no I don’t have a website and as of September 14 until September 20 we are away for some much needed R & R.
take care, keep in touch and God bless!
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Penang changing into Venice? I would not go so far as to say that but if the deforestation goes on it most certainly will. Look what is happening to the Pearl of the Orient, it’s former luster has gone for sure! I would agree with flyer168, it all happens for the mighty dollar. deforestation, so more townhouses and multi story developments can be build for people who at the most stay 3 weeks in a year! would it not be far more profitable to do really something about the filth in the sea? Would it not be much wiser to let customers buy a cotton shoppingbag instead of handing out never ending amounts of plastic containers and bags for the tiniest bought object? would it not be wiser to start handing out fines for littering instead of quiet accepting empty plastic bags/bottles and containers etc. in nature? I bet that the Penagites would be mighty proud to see the difference, tourist would! someone said that word of mouth is very powerfull and we believe that!
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Gerakan has achieved it intended goal for Penang at last…to make Penang the Venice of the east, Penangites have it all!
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