AYER HITAM: With the number of evacuees rising, Johor is appealing for help from Putrajaya and other states not affected by floods to send their personnel.
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the number of affected victims was more than 30,000.
“All personnel from various agencies are giving their all to help flood victims. They are still showing high spirits but are already exhausted after three days of working non-stop.
“I have requested for aid in terms of machinery or personnel from states that are not affected by flood and from the Welfare Department,” he said, adding that the state would also welcome help from the Federal Government,” he said after visiting a temporary relief centre (PPS) at SJKC Yong Peng 1 here yesterday.
He said the state government always provided the necessary assistance, adding that he was aware some flood victims had yet to receive basic assistance such as comforters, blankets and pillows.
Onn Hafiz said all aid was sent out from the first day of the flood, but the delay was due to the high number of victims seeking shelter at the PPS.
“More aid has arrived at PPS but if there is still a shortage, it will be attended to immediately.
“We are also getting help from NGOs, private companies and individuals who help in terms of providing clothes and food.
“We are asking the people to be patient and remain calm,” he said.
Meanwhile, state Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said mosques in Johor were now being used as PPS.
“This is part of the state government’s contingency plan to accommodate the high number of those affected by floods.
“Mosques are also allowed to help prepare food for distribution to nearby PPS,” he said.
In Kluang, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry was prepared to deploy more police personnel into Johor to help with the flood situation.
“Currently, there are more than 4,000 police personnel in the state that are on reserve and can be deployed anytime.
“If we add members from other agencies such as Rela and General Operations Force, there will be more than 7,000 personnel in Johor.
“But if it is still insufficient, then the ministry will deploy members of the police force from other states that are unaffected by the floods,” Saifuddin added when met after visiting a PPS at the Kampung Melayu Kluang community hall yesterday.
