SHAH ALAM — Kota Kemuning state assemblyman Preakas Sampunathan has called for sweeping reforms to address persistent flooding, infrastructure weaknesses, and governance inefficiencies during the debate on the royal address at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.

In his speech, he expressed appreciation for the Sultan’s address, emphasizing that Selangor’s success should not be measured solely by investment figures but by the strength of its infrastructure and its ability to alleviate the people’s hardships.

Flood Mitigation Takes Center Stage

Highlighting flood-prone areas such as Taman Sri Muda, Bukit Kemuning, Kampung Baru Hicom, and Jalan Kebun, he described them as recurring “hotspots” affecting thousands of residents during heavy rainfall.

While welcoming the RM100 million allocation from the federal government for flood mitigation projects, he voiced frustration over slow implementation, attributing delays largely to bureaucratic hurdles, particularly land acquisition issues.

“The people do not want to hear about processes—they want to see results,” he said, proposing a bold Interim Approval System that would allow critical public projects to receive temporary approval within 7 to 14 days.

He also urged stricter enforcement against agencies or contractors that delay essential works, stressing the need for decisive leadership in crisis management.

Learning from Global Models

The assemblyman suggested adopting international best practices, including the Netherlands’ “Room for the River” concept and Japan’s underground flood storage systems, to better manage water flow in densely developed areas like Sri Muda.

Despite completed design plans for flood upgrades costing over RM250 million, he noted that progress has stalled due to lack of funding. He proposed establishing a special state flood fund using Selangor’s reserves to expedite solutions.

Roads, Traffic, and Waste Management Concerns

Turning to infrastructure, he criticized the slow pace of road repairs, describing the current approach as wasteful and short-term. He advocated for advanced technologies such as long-life pavement materials and AI-based predictive maintenance.

He also raised safety concerns over poorly maintained federal roads in the area, calling on the federal government to either improve conditions or hand over control to the state.

Traffic congestion in Kota Kemuning, classified as “Grade F,” was another major concern.

He questioned continued development approvals without corresponding transport solutions, proposing investment in intelligent traffic management systems powered by artificial intelligence.

On public transport, he stressed the urgent need for LRT or MRT expansion and dedicated bus lanes to ease congestion.

Waste collection services also came under scrutiny, with complaints about inefficiency despite increased assessment taxes.

He recommended implementing a Smart Waste Management System using IoT sensors and GPS tracking to ensure accountability and real-time monitoring.

Proposal for Non-Muslim Endowment Board

Addressing sensitive issues surrounding places of worship, the assemblyman proposed establishing a Selangor Non-Muslim Endowment Board to better manage and regulate such matters, taking inspiration from existing models in other states.

He emphasized the importance of legal backing and inclusive policymaking to maintain social harmony in the multicultural state.

Questions Over Gas Pipeline Explosion Report

The assemblyman also pressed for transparency regarding the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, asking for updates on an independent panel’s findings and whether the report would be made public.

He called for stricter development guidelines near gas pipelines, including mandatory buffer zones, citing the significant impact radius of the explosion. He further urged the state to expedite financial assistance for affected residents.

Closing: Focus on Long-Term Leadership

In closing, he acknowledged the state government’s RM130 million allocation to support affected communities amid global economic uncertainties but criticized opposition parties for what he described as constant criticism without recognition.

He concluded by urging leaders to prioritize long-term impact over political gains, stating that true leadership lies in serving future generations rather than focusing on the next election.

The assemblyman formally expressed support for the motion and reaffirmed loyalty to the Sultan Selangor.