Johor to halt projects blamed for flash floods, mudflows

Johor Baru's Housing and Local Government Committee has announced that development projects in the region responsible for flash floods and mudflows will be immediately halted. Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor stated that developers and contractors who fail to adhere to development approval conditions, especially those related to retention ponds and centralised drainage systems, will face consequences.

Prior to any construction, developers are required to build retention ponds and provide drainage systems as per approved integrated guidelines. However, the issue lies in whether these mandatory requirements are fulfilled or postponed. Developers often appoint contractors who prioritize profit and expedite project completion, neglecting critical mandatory provisions, according to Jafni.

At a press conference, Jafni informed that all housing and other development project developers in Johor Baru would be briefed and reminded of flood mitigation requirements. He instructed the city council mayor to remind developers of their responsibilities following recent flooding incidents. Johor Baru experienced flash floods after heavy rain, with a mudflow recently flooding a nearby housing area for the first time.

Jafni also mentioned that a project in Iskandar Puteri was ordered to cease work after causing a mudflow that flooded a housing area. Additionally, he noted that a project in Taman Lestari was halted for 30 days to allow for corrective measures. Jafni emphasized that if unmitigated flooding occurs in an area without other development projects, immediate action will be taken.