Selangor mulls appeal after High Court finds authorities liable for 2021 Taman Sri Muda floods

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — The Selangor government is considering whether to appeal a High Court ruling that found the federal government and two state authorities liable for negligence over the devastating 2021 Taman Sri Muda floods.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state would first seek advice from the State Legal Adviser before deciding its next step, Berita Harian reported today.

“(We will examine) whether an appeal should be filed or otherwise, because this is only a High Court decision and there is still room for an appeal to provide justification,” he was quoted as saying.

He was speaking after the launch of the Selangor Roads and Highways Strategic Plan 2026-2035 (JALUR Selangor) here.

The High Court yesterday ruled in favour of 50 Taman Sri Muda residents who sued the government and several public authorities over losses they suffered during the catastrophic floods in December 2021.

Judicial Commissioner Shoba Rajah Dorai Rajah found the federal government, the Selangor Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), among the defendants, liable for negligence and related failures that contributed to the residents’ losses.

The residents alleged failures in flood management, drainage systems, weather warnings and disaster response.

The court held the liable defendants jointly and severally responsible for the losses suffered by the residents.

The residents are seeking RM3,767,148.51 in special damages, as well as general and aggravated damages.

The High Court has fixed October 6 for case management to determine a date for the assessment of damages.

Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam was among the areas worst affected by the widespread floods of December 2021, which left residents stranded as floodwaters rose rapidly.