PJ food court traders choose flood risk over relocation

PJ food court traders choose flood risk over relocation

PETALING JAYA: Traders at Medan Selera 223 in Seksyen 51A here have decided to stay put despite being warned that they face flood risks during a six-month mitigation project.

The traders said they welcomed the construction of a flood retention pond next to the food court, but were unwilling to move as it was unclear whether it would be temporary or permanent.

Medan Selera PJ Lestari Traders Association chairman Farahanim Ahmad, 43, said mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon had given traders the option of relocating during construction.

“If the Petaling Jaya City Council asks us to move temporarily, upgrades the food court and then lets us return, I would gladly do it. But traders here have decided to stay put,” she said.

Farahanim said traders were told their stalls would not be affected and business could continue as usual.

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However, traders had also been told that if flooding occurred during the pond’s construction, they would have to bear the risk themselves, she added.

“The main parking lot will be closed for six months during construction, so customers will need to park along the road.

“But the city council has promised that access to the food court will stay open.”

She said the food court had 60 lots, of which only 40 were operating, and business had dropped by about 70 per cent following repeated floods.

“Customers are afraid to come here because of the floods. We hope this will be resolved.”

Traders at the food court endured their fourth flash flood this year on July 18 and have sought answers from the authorities on long-term measures to prevent further flooding.

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State Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim previously said an on-site flood retention pond would be built near Medan Selera 223 to store excess water during flash floods.

The RM4.55 million project is expected to be completed by year end.

Farahanim thanked Zahri, the city council and the state government for acting swiftly following the floods.

“Floods are natural disasters, but the authorities came quickly, listened to us and pushed for a real solution. That gives us a lot of reassurance.”

Third-generation trader Mardiantynur Marhisham, 41, said traders were prepared to accept the risks during construction because they did not want to leave the area.

She said Zahri had visited the site on Friday to brief traders on the planned works and asked whether they wanted to relocate or stay.

“But they didn’t specify whether relocating meant temporarily for the construction or permanently. Either way, most of us refused to move.

“They told us that if we stayed while the project was ongoing over the next six months, any flooding would be at our own risk. We accepted that.

“We are willing to take that risk during construction because we love this location and refuse to leave.”

Mardiantynur said the area had experienced severe flooding in April, May and July.

“The worst part was having barely 15 minutes after we heard the siren to pack up before the water rose and ruined our freezers and belongings.

“Knowing there is finally a solution from the government and city council gives us huge relief for next year.”

On Thursday, the state government allocated RM40.5 million for immediate and medium-term flood mitigation projects at
hotspots under the Petaling Jaya City Council’s jurisdiction.

Izham said the plan included 39 projects to strengthen flood defences in high-risk areas, including Section 51A, Kampung Cempaka and Jalan Kuala Selangor.

To ease the traders’ burden, the city council has also granted a one-month rental exemption and a 30 per cent rental discount until December.

The council has also installed flood sensors and warning sirens along Jalan 223 and is upgrading the system to provide earlier alerts of up to 30 minutes.