Royal visit: Sultan Ibrahim interacting with housewife Nor Shafinas and her baby girl Nur Iris Medina Muhamad Hasnawi at the SMK Dato’ Seth temporary flood relief centre in Yong Peng. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
YONG PENG: Their homes and vehicles were destroyed in the floods. They have been displaced and are forced to stay in tents at temporary shelters.
Despite the challenges, some flood victims have smiles while others are taking it all in their stride.
Nor Shafinas Mohd Noor is just happy her bundle of joy is safe.
She had given birth to a baby girl about two months ago and had completed her confinement period before the floods hit her home in Taman Desa last Thursday.
The 26-year-old housewife said she quickly stuffed some bags with clothes and her children’s essentials before her husband brought them to the SMK Dato’ Seth temporary flood relief centre (PPS).
“We have experienced mild floods, below the ankle level, previously but it was never this bad. This time, the floodwaters reached our chests.
“It is also my first time in the PPS. It took some time to get used to it as there is no steady water supply here and I have a newborn to take care of.
“We have to collect water in pails from a water tank to wash up and bathe my children in the school’s toilets. Despite the challenges, I am glad my family is safe and my baby has not been fussing,” she told The Star.
Nor Shafinas had even more reason to smile when she received an unexpected visit from Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
The Ruler, who also visited several other PPS in Batu Pahat to check on the victims’ welfare, stopped by her tent for a chat.
The authorities should ensure that the supply of necessities for flood victims at temporary relief centres is always sufficient, the state Ruler said in a statement posted on Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page yesterday.
Another evacuee, Tan Ting Huat, 74, is also looking at the positive side of things although the floodwaters have yet to recede in his housing area in Taman Melati.
“We cannot do anything about the floods as it is a force of nature. I have readied myself to throw out all my furniture and home appliances like the refrigerator when I return home.
“It is better to look at things in a positive light rather than dwell on things we cannot change.
“Time passes quite fast here at the SK Yong Peng PPS as I have many friends. Most of my neighbours have been evacuated here,” added Tan.
Teacher Zuraita Akmal from Kampung Temehel is also putting on a brave front for the sake of her four children.
“My husband and I have to be strong for our children.
“We want to set a good example for them to be strong in the face of adversity,” she said, adding that the waters have receded slightly at her home compared to two days ago when it reached 1.5m.
Zuraita said she will have to fork out a big sum of money for the clean-up as she will have to buy home appliances.
The bank loan moratorium proposed by the government, she said, would provide flood victims some relief.
“Business owners and farmers who incurred huge losses in the floods will benefit from the six-month moratorium as they need to rebuild their lives,” she added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that several banks have agreed to a moratorium on loans for up to six months, and asked all banks to do so.
