Victims of the devastating floods in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam last month are planning to sue the authorities for negligence.

According to a report in The Vibes news portal, at least 50 residents have shown shown interest to be part of the suit, which is expected to name the Shah Alam City Council, Selangor drainage and irrigation department, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), as well as the Selangor and federal govermments.

Attempts are underway to get more flood victims on board the class action suit.

Lawyer Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal, who will be representing as class counsel for a minimal fee, said his firm Messrs Raj and Sach is seriously considering including other residential areas in Selangor in the same suit.

"It is their (the authorities') duty to ensure they deal with the flooding. This flood is not new. It has been happening almost every year. The fact that they have continued to let it happen without any noticeable change is unacceptable.

"Making matters worse is that their response this year is a historic low. It is disgusting. People died because of their inaction," Sachpreetraj was quoted saying, adding that the suit will claim for property and exemplary damages.

The floods that devastated several states in Peninsular Malaysia last December killed over two dozen people, most of them residents of Shah Alam.

Following the disaster, the federal and Selangor state governments were condemned for their slow response, as fellow Malaysians went the extra mile to help each other out in times of need.


Source: The Vibes
Photo source: Berita Harian