Shadow Policy Committee

Flash floods following four hours of continuous rain forced 14 families in Kampung Mengkuang Titi, Bukit Mertajam to be evacuated to a temporary relief centre. Heavy rains from 3am Wednesday caused the nearby Sungai Kulim to burst its banks, sending the 70-odd residents scurrying to salvage their belongings. Resident Zakaria Ahmad, 32, said he jumped out of bed and started moving some of his electrical appliances to higher ground. ‘‘Two hours of continuous rain is all it takes for floods to hit our houses, which are near a monsoon drain,” he said at his home. Another resident Mariam Awang, 65, said flash floods have been a problem here for 30 years. ‘‘I am getting tired of cleaning my house after it floods. I hope the authorities would upgrade the drainage system in the area,’’ she said. Flash floods also hit Taman Bunga Raya, Siram Road, Sin Tatt Garden, Taman Meranti, Taman Ceri, Kampung Paya, Taman Teratai and Taman Aman in Butterworth. State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Commi...

Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) will soon conduct a study to create parking lots for cars along the bustling Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang, to cater to the growing number of vehicles in the area. Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said many motorists were forced to double park, especially outside the Apollo market, as there was not a single car parking lot available in the area. “Many of these motorists have been slapped with summonses by the police for obstructing traffic flow. “We do not blame the police for carrying out their duties but we appeal to them to be a little considerate towards the residents as there are no proper parking facilities for now,” he said after visiting the market recently. Also present were Penang DAP Deputy Chairman and Bagan Jermal assemblyman Lim Hock Seng and council president Farizan Darus. DAP Bagan Jermal Branch Chairman and Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Boon Poh Phee said the council did not create any parking lot throug...