KUALA LUMPUR: A new committee has been established at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to enhance the city's response to public incidents, including flash floods, with the aim of responding to floods in less than half an hour.

"The Kuala Lumpur Public Incident Management Committee, supported by agencies like the Civil Defence Force (APM), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department, and Kuala Lumpur Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPSKL), aims to respond within 30 minutes of receiving early flood warnings," said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

This was a written reply to questions by Seputeh member of Parliament Teresa Kok Suh Mih and Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin on flood mitigation in the city, especially concerning development around flood retention ponds and sinkholes, during the minister's question time session today.

Zaliha said that 490 DBKL personnel are on standby, aided by a monitoring team using over 60 CCTV units at identified flood-prone hotspots.

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"We are committed to providing immediate assistance, especially in these vulnerable areas," she said.

She assured the public that monitoring around flood retention ponds remains effective.

"I understand what is implied by Seputeh and I want to emphasise that water levels at retention ponds are under control, and no flooding has occurred in these areas so far," she added.

Previously, it was mentioned that a housing developer had committed RM40 million to 'upgrade' the Kampung Bohol retention pond along the Kesas Highway as part of its winning bid for a housing project tender.

Kok, local residents, and organisations expressed concern over the development of the pond due to flooding and congestion concerns.