Selangor and Federal Government Agree on Five Measures to Mitigate Klang Valley Floods

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 23 — The Selangor state government and the Federal Territories Department have agreed to implement five key measures aimed at reducing flood incidents across the Klang Valley.

The joint agreement was finalized following a bilateral meeting on flood retention ponds and crematoriums between Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari today.

As an immediate priority, both governments agreed to convene a technical meeting within two weeks to detail project locations, scope, estimated costs, funding mechanisms, and implementation methods. Preliminary details will be prepared ahead of the upcoming Parliament sitting and the tabling of Budget 2027, with regular follow-up meetings scheduled to monitor progress.

“Other measures include reviewing the capacity of Batu Dam and Klang Gate Dam, identifying locations for new flood retention ponds, increasing the capacity of three existing ponds, as well as coordinating river dredging and silt removal works,” the joint statement detailed.

Under the dam capacity review, joint technical assessments will examine whether Batu Dam and Klang Gate Dam can sufficiently support regional water management needs over the next 20 to 30 years, while identifying suitable upstream locations for new flood retention ponds. The studies will evaluate technical suitability, land status, environmental and community impacts, and overall flood reduction efficacy.

To boost current storage capacity, the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) will identify three existing retention ponds for upgrading; Kampung Laksamana Pond, Sungai Kertas Pond and Bukit Lagong Pond respectively.

“The pond at Bukit Lagong is located within a forest reserve, which needs to be degazetted to enable the area to be used as a retention pond,” the statement noted.

For river maintenance, Selangor JPS and Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory JPS will jointly coordinate river dredging and silt removal operations across both jurisdictions. Additionally, Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory JPS will assist in identifying a dedicated 30-acre site in Selangor for the disposal of dredged silt waste.

Both parties stressed that swift execution is critical, noting that three out of every 10 Malaysians reside in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, which together contribute 41.7 per cent to the national economy.

–NMT