JOHOR BARU: Johor will address flooding issues affecting the remaining 102 hotspots by next year with the RM179mil allocated by the state government, says Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.
The Johor housing and local government committee chairman said the efforts to tackle these flood hotspots have been divided into three phases, which commenced last year and involved a total of 221 hotspots.
“We began with a RM55mil allocation last year, another RM54mil for the second phase this year, and will allocate RM70mil for the final phase next year.
“The 16 local councils in the state identified 221 flood hotspots. We addressed 119 of them last year.
“This year, we plan to tackle another 65 hotspots, with the remaining 37 hotspots to be handled next year,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the UDA Carnival 2024 at Plaza Angsana Johor Baru yesterday.
Mohd Jafni added that this was the state government’s target following the state disaster management committee meeting chaired by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi on Thursday.
“We have made preparations in advance and the meeting discussed the deployment of manpower and resources following the recent floods that hit Kluang, Batu Pahat and Pontian on Oct 6,” said Mohd Jafni, adding that all state executive councillors and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) were roped in to streamline the process.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Armed Forces, Public Works Department, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence, Rela, the police and all 16 local councils in Johor.
Mohd Jafni also said that in Johor Baru, the city council had successfully addressed 70% of the flood issues that affected areas like Wisma Persekutuan, Larkin Stadium and Kampung Mohd Amin.
“Before heavy rain occurs, the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) will clear the flood retention pond at Tasik Merdeka to ensure excess water flows there instead of into the city centre.
“This was also done in other places starting this year, with all 16 local councils required to regularly clean and maintain their flood retention ponds to prevent flooding,” he added.
Meanwhile, UDA Holdings Bhd chairman Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini said the UDA Carnival 2024 provided a platform for 189 entrepreneurs, including UDA entrepreneurs, members of the asnaf community, individuals from the B40 income group, and persons with disabilities (OKU), to showcase their products and services.
“It featured a diverse range of businesses, with 45% involved in food and beverage, 13% in handicrafts and souvenirs, 18% in fashion and beauty, 17% in services and healthcare, and 7% in other industries.
“We have also handed over a zakat wakalah contribution of RM50,000 to 500 asnaf students located within UDA’s development and business regions in Johor.
“The strategic collaboration between UDA and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) aims to encourage a culture of saving among the younger generation,” he said.
