URGENT FINANCIAL AID PROPOSED FOR JOHOR FLOOD VICTIMS BEFORE AIDILFITRI

JOHOR BAHRU, March 21 (Bernama) -- The federal and Johor government have been urged to provide immediate financial assistance to flood victims before Hari Raya Aidilfitri following the recent floods in Johor Bahru, Kulai, Pontian, Kluang and Kota Tinggi.

Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat said the floods had destroyed household items, clothing, important documents and vehicles, causing thousands of ringgits in losses for residents.

He said the floods this time were an unusual occurrence, affecting residential areas, villages, mosques, and surau since March 19.

“I am saddened by the situation. While riding my motorcycle to visit affected areas and the temporary relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Pasir, I found it extraordinary. The two days of continuous rainfall were equivalent to two months of normal rain.

“The overflow of the Skudai River had caused severe congestion on the Skudai Highway, with vehicles heading north stranded for over seven hours,” he said in a statement today.

Apart from aiding the victims, Suhaizan emphasised the need for special allocations to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods, such as roads, drainage systems and underground water pipes, particularly at the Lily & Jasmine flats in Tampoi.

“To prevent future such floods, the RM99.8 million allocation for Sungai Skudai maintenance must be expedited. The river water pump project in Kampung Pasir should also be prioritised,” he said.

-- BERNAMA