On March 21, 2008 , Malaysiakini highlighted the case of the 60-year old Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Tamil Ladang Bukit Jalil where floods were a constant threat.
The floods are caused by the construction works for of a Temporary Holding Centre for police detainees prison. The project which includes a police station is being undertaken by Kuala Lumpur City Hall and is a just few metres from the school. An immediate unwanted effect is that the monsoon drain near the school has been almost covered over.
As a result, rain water is unable to run off smoothly every time there is a heavy downpour resulting in flash floods hitting the school and nearby houses.
Newly-appointed Federal Territories Deputy Minister M. Saravanan visited the school on the March 27 after which he promised that the Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Tamil Ladang Bukit Jalil would be relocated to a more suitable location. This was a relief for the school as it had been earlier promised a site next to a cemetery.
As for the flooding problem, Saravanan managed to get City Hall to undertake remedial drainage works with work to start within 24 hours.
On April 2, Malaysiakini again paid a visit to the school and found that the drainage works had already started on March 28 as promised.
However, disappointingly, a heavy downpour that evening showed that the whatever drainage work done had no effect. The school as gain flooded.
A visit to the school the next morning showed that a thick layer of mud had invaded the school's classrooms, resource room and sports room as well as the school canteen.
The flood waters had damaged almost everything in sight. The students were forced to stand outside while the cleaning was carried out. According to the residents, the flood waters had risen up to knee level.
Camera: Kamal Ishak and Maran Perianen
Editor: Indrani Kopal
Voice Over: S Vicknesan
