KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) flood mitigation management under the purview of the Federal Territories (FT) Ministry has yet to achieve its objectives as only 11% of 18 projects proposed under short-term flood mitigation measures have been completed, resulting in the problem of flash floods in the city remaining unresolved, according to the Auditor-General’s Report 2021 Series 1.

There is also no evidence to suggest the maintenance work was monitored, while the components and configurations of nine flood reservoirs and recreation ponds are defective, the Auditor-General said, recommending that DBKL buck-up in its maintenance works and to ensure the flood mitigation programmes are implemented in a more comprehensive and holistic manner.

Separately, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Wong Kah Woh said the committee has agreed to call relevant individuals in the FT Ministry to appear before the committee in its proceedings into the Kuala Lumpur Flood Mitigation Management system worth RM329.33 million.

“The time has not been determined. But usually we will call the minister, secretary general and DBKL to attend this proceeding,” he said at a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 3).

In the Auditor-General's report which was published on Wednesday, procurement was highlighted as another issue as three out of the six flood mitigation projects amounting to RM27.68 million did not comply with the procurement principles stated in the regulations.

Other weaknesses in programme management were variation orders amounting to RM192,553.90 that were approved after the contracts had expired. This was in addition to the extension of time approved after the expiry of the contracts. Moreover, records of assets or infrastructure of rivers and flood reservoirs were incomplete and not up to date.

“In addition, flash floods keep recurring even after the implementation of flood mitigation projects,” said the Auditor-General.

According to the report, the implementation of the flood mitigation projects was based on the Kuala Lumpur City Rainwater Management Drainage System Master Plan (Master Plan) and flash flood hotspots.

As such, the audit covered two main areas, namely programme performance and programme management for the period of 2016 to March this year.

To overcome the weaknesses highlighted and to ensure that it did not recur in the future, the Auditor-General recommended DBKL take several actions including conducting an outcome evaluation of the mitigation programme based on the DBKL standard operating procedures in terms of its effectiveness in dealing with floods.

The Auditor-General also recommended the implementation of flood mitigation projects in a balanced and consistent manner by taking into account the consultants’ proposals and the requirements of hotspot projects.

This is so that the implementation of flood mitigation programmes are more comprehensive and holistic.

“DBKL is recommended to review the components and configurations of flood reservoirs and recreation ponds owned by DBKL and carry out scheduled maintenance works to ensure that the flood reservoirs and recreation ponds are functioning optimally.

“Additionally, DBKL is recommended to maintain a timely record of assets or infrastructure of rivers and flood reservoirs and recreation ponds as well as improve on-site monitoring methods for project supervision and project maintenance,” said the Auditor-General.

For more AG’s Report 2021 stories, click here.