GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9 ― The state chapter of Gerakan today accused the Penang government of poor planning and wasting RM40 million on flood mitigation, after the state was hit by flash floods this week.
“The chief minister claimed that if there was no heavy rain, there will be no floods and I wonder where he learnt his geography from,” Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow said.
Teng conceded that that rain may be one of the factors, but insisted that it was not the main cause.
Penang was recently hit by flash floods in various low-lying areas following bouts of heavy downpour and along with it, landslides and a collapsed road due to erosion.
Penang Gerakan secretary H'ng Chee Way today also questioned the results of RM40 million he said the state government spent on flood prevention between 2011 and 2015.
“Obviously, these projects were not effective as the state continues to experience flash floods after heavy rainfall,” he said in another press conference at the Gerakan headquarters here.
The Penang state government has repeatedly blamed the federal government for delaying the RM350 million Sungai Pinang flood mitigation project that had led to flash floods in the state.
H'ng pointed out that flash floods occurred at locations far away from Sungai Pinang, and said the state must take its own initiative to address flooding.
“According to the Federal Constitution, public works, drainage and irrigation are under the concurrent list which means shared responsibility of the state and federal governments,” he said.
Teng was responding to statements by the Penang state government that flood mitigation is under the federal government's jurisdiction, and that it was unable to do anything if these projects were delayed due to lack of funding from Putrajaya.
Teng said Article 81 of the Federal Constitution clearly states that the financing of matters on the concurrent list depends on whether the federal government agrees to pay for it or the state chooses to fund it on its own.
