Life-saving initiative: Mohd Jafni (right, in blue) looking at a student practising his swimming skills during the LiSA officiation ceremony at Pantai Batu Layar, Kota Tinggi.
KOTA TINGGI: Johor has set a “zero deaths from drowning” target at water recreational areas during the upcoming northeast monsoon season, says its housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.
With the monsoon expected to start next month and last until early next year, Mohd Jafni said the state wanted to put a stop to the high number of drowning deaths recorded from 2021 until September this year.
“During this period, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department recorded 276 water rescue cases with 110 deaths and 13 injuries.
“This number of deaths is also higher if compared with deaths caused by fire in the state.
“Which is why we hope to be able to achieve zero death cases in water recreational areas,” he said after the installation of Life Saving Appliances (LiSA) at Pantai Batu Layar here yesterday.
He added that public attractions such as national parks would be closed to the public during the monsoon season while activities on public beaches may be restricted based on the weather.
In line with the zero-death target, Mohd Jafni said that the Fire and Rescue Department has also placed three LiSA in Pantai Awam Desaru, Pantai Batu Layar and the Gunung Ledang waterfall.
“LiSA is a rescue box that contains a throw bag rope, a torpedo buoy, a life jacket, and a first aid kit that members of the public can access by breaking the glass box storing the key in case of an emergency.
“The box also has a detection system that can send an alert to the nearest fire station when it is being opened,” he said, adding that more LiSA were needed to reduce the number drowning deaths.
“We are also looking at placing two more LiSA in Sedili and Tanjung Balau, but we need to further survey the areas first before we can start with the installation,” he added.
Mohd Jafni said the department has also identified seven drowning hotspots in Johor.
They are Pantai Tanjung Balau, Pantai Tanjung Sedili, Pantai Jason Bay and Pantai Tanjung Buloh in Kota Tinggi; Tasik Tiga Beradik in Bandar Seri Alam; Pasir Gudang; Gunung Ledang in Segamat; and Pantai Air Papan in Mersing.
There are also 15 locations where the water surge phenomenon can occur, namely in the waterfall areas in Kota Tinggi, Gunung Pelepah, Tengkil, Gunung Muntahak, and Sungai Lebak.
Other places are Buaya Sangkut in Endau, Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Bantang, Ayer Putih, Takah Melur, Takah Pengkol, Sungai Bantang Bekok, in Segamat, Gunung Ledang National Park in Tangkak, Gunung Pulai in Kulai, and Sungai Yong and Gunung Belumut in Kluang.
“These places would usually be closed during the monsoon season to avoid any unwanted incidents,” he added.
