KLANG, Oct 17 — The Selangor state government admitted that the collapsed bund at Kampung Batu 5, Jalan Kapar due to the high tide phenomenon yesterday was not the focus of upgrading works carried out through an immediate RM4.3 million allocation.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said under the allocation that was approved, the focus was on several bunds at high risk areas that needed immediate attention.

"The Irrigation and Drainage Department’s (JPS) technical report indicated several areas that needed immediate attention because the bunds were in danger of collapsing just like what happened yesterday.

"This is not a case of oversight because here the collapsed bund was 40m long. The main cause was because there was no mangrove forest to prevent the waves from lashing onto the bunds,” he told reporters after visiting the damaged bund today.

He was commenting on claims from villagers that the collapsed bund incident could have been avoided if damage caused by erosion along the bund was repaired.

Mohamed Azmin said works to repair the collapsed bund had started and 4,000 sand bags had been sent to the affected area while work is expected to be completed by 6am tomorrow morning.

As of 6pm today, 459 victims, including 133 affected by floods were housed at five relief centres opened throughout Selangor, including villagers from Kampung Batu 5, since about 30 houses were affected by the collapsed bund. — Bernama