Call to build relief centre in Parit Yaani

ONE of the proposed nine permanent disaster relief centres should be placed in Parit Yaani, Batu Pahat, as the district is badly affected by floods.

Parit Yaani assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Najib Samuri said Batu Pahat Public Works Department was preparing paperwork for the proposal to be submitted soon.

“We hope the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will hear our plea.

“Many flood victims from Sri Medan, Parit Sulong, Yong Peng, Ayer Hitam and Parit Raja are sent to temporary relief centres here so it would be good to have a permanent centre instead,” he said when contacted.

Mohamad Najib said this was also in line with Federal Government’s approval to build the Parit Yaani Civil Defence Force unit office next year.

“We have received an allocation of RM500,000 from Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) in the Prime Minister’s Department to upgrade the current village chief complex into a Civil Defence Force office.

“This will make tasks of the civil defence force easier.”

He said floods in Parit Yaani usually occurred when Bekok Dam overflowed due to heavy rain.

“One of the solutions is to deepen Sungai Simpang Kiri and Sungai Simpang Kanan regularly.

“If not, the people in Batu Pahat will face floods every monsoon season,” he added.

Meanwhile, Parit Raja assemblyman Rashidah Ramli said clean-up operations for 15 flood-prone areas in her constituency were nearly completed.

“The operations are being conducted by Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), which took over the task from the village chief office.

“This is among changes in management this year in response to the massive flood in March 2023.

“Previously, clean-up operations were conducted only once every four years, but we now aim to do this at least once a year,” she added.

Rashidah said rescue agencies had also increased their surveillance and patrol operations.

“We hope this will make flood victims feel that their properties are protected. Previously, many were reluctant to be evacuated for fear thieves would break into their homes.

“By the time they agree to move out, the water would have risen to a dangerous level.

“So this year, we hope those ordered to move out will immediately comply with the authorities,” she said.

Climate Change and Johor Disaster Management select committee chairman Anuar Abd Manap said Segamat district office recently conducted a training session involving state police, Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department and the Welfare Department.

“This northeast monsoon preparation session was conducted from Dec 18 to 21 at Juaseh Dam in Labis,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported on Nov 29 as saying that permanent disaster relief centres would be established immediately in nine states, with the ceiling cost of each centre set at RM5mil.