1. W
hen news of massive downpour followed by
flash floods hitting Kajang ran the headlines in
September and December 2014, neighbouring
areas within the district would have had been
equally affected. Fact is, most flood impacts
can be minimised when practical mitigation
measures are undertaken upon identifying the
causes, if not avoided. If at all, this almost an-
nual climatic phenomenon only serves to bring about anguish and socio-
economic loss.
The chairman of the Association of Trade and Industry owner of Bala-
kong Jaya, Selangor Jason Ow Yeang Yuan Kheng has, since taking over
in 2010, been committed to bringing the flood issues in Balakong Jaya
Industrial Park to the authorities. They have all, but fallen on deaf ears.
“Over the years, these floods have caused us so much loss and we have
been trying to get our message across to all the relevant parties for four
years already. But nothing has been done so far,” Ow asserted.
“We are at our wits’ end,” he said.
Balakong Jaya’s endless woes
Situated between Kajang and Cheras, Balakong encapsulates an area of
booming industrial activities from Taming Jaya Industrial Park up North,
to Balakong Jaya Industrial Park down South, of which the latter has been
plagued with constant floods that incur huge losses, especially to more
than 40 factory owners.
Founded in 2000, the main purpose of the Association of Trade and
Industry Owner of Balakong Jaya (Selangor) had been to oversee the
legalisation, or rather, the conversion of agriculture lands into industrial
park to accommodate the establishment of light and medium industry
factories. However, in recent years, the association has undertaken the
Wits’end for
Balakong Jaya
E
02
For many years the Association of Trade and Industry Owner of Balakong Jaya,
Selangor has been trying to solve the flood issues plaguing Balakong Jaya
Industrial Park.
The association chairman Jason Ow is responsible to lead the association and
bring better development, not only to the industrial park, but to neighbouring
locations susceptible to the flood. But first some things need to be moved out
of the way.
By Sherilyn Pang
FEBRUARY 7 - FEBRUARY 20, 2015
Ow: OverOw: Over the years, these floodsthe years, these floods
have caused us so much loss and wehave caused us so much loss and we
have been trying to get our messagehave been trying to get our message
across to all the relevant parties foracross to all the relevant parties for
four years already. But nothing hasfour years already. But nothing has
been done so far.been done so far.