DBKL stops development approvals near KL flood retention ponds, says Yeoh

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has announced a new policy restricting planning permissions for developments near flood retention ponds until all technical requirements are met, according to the New Straits Times. Minister Hannah Yeoh stated this move aims to strengthen development controls and prevent projects from exacerbating flood risks in the capital.

The policy requires developers to comply with conditions set by the Federal Territories Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and other technical agencies before approval is granted. This decision comes in response to concerns raised by the Public Accounts Committee about development projects that did not adequately consider drainage capacity.

DBKL is also enhancing its flood mitigation infrastructure, including on-site detention ponds, with nine currently operational and six under construction. The government is exploring ways to protect privately developed detention ponds from future ownership changes that could affect their flood mitigation function. Additionally, DBKL is coordinating with the Selangor government to manage flood mitigation along shared rivers and intensifying desilting works along rivers and monsoon drains.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.