JOHOR BARU: The Johor government is proposing a rent waiver for April and May for tenants affected by the recent floods, particularly those living in People’s Housing Project (PPR) Desa Mutiara.
Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the waiver would apply to affected units, including 152 ground-floor flats and 40 shop lots within the public housing project.
"In addition, we will repair damaged infrastructure, including collapsed fences, futsal courts, and open halls that were affected by the floods," he said after visiting PPR Desa Mutiara on Saturday (March 22).
Mohd Jafni added that while the full extent of damage to personal belongings has yet to be determined, the flooding in PPR Desa Mutiara was less severe compared to other areas like Kangkar Pulai, where water levels rose to the rooftops.
He also confirmed that a task force has been established to assess the flood situation, expanding the existing hotspot flood task force under local councils to include district offices, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), and other relevant agencies.
"So far, among the 15 PPRs under the Johor state government, only PPR Desa Mutiara has been affected by floods," he said.
The 40 shop lots within the PPR, which serve the local community, were also impacted and will be included in the recovery efforts. Meanwhile, the 152 ground-floor units affected are located in blocks 19 to 22.
Johor Bahru City Foundation chairman Datuk Yahya Jaafar said a dialysis centre at PPR Desa Mutiara was also flooded, damaging medical equipment.
"Fortunately, all the medical equipment is still under warranty, so there is no issue in replacing them.
"We have also provided cash aid and food baskets to flood victims at the PPR as well as evacuees at nearby temporary relief centres (PPS)," he said.
He added that this was the first time PPR Desa Mutiara had been flooded due to overflow from a nearby river.
"The river is one of the tributaries of Sungai Tebrau, and the state government is currently discussing flood mitigation measures to prevent this from happening again in the future," he said.
