TO assist with the flood situation in Johor, the Penang government has sent a disaster relief squad from Penang Island City Council (MBPP) today to the several areas affected there.
MBPP mayor said Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the council has mobilised two combi lorries together with 20 people for the post-relief mission.
“We understand the difficulties that the flood victims as well as the government agencies are going through, so we are sending some manpower there to help.
“I have contacted the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman and the Labis district council president Herman Raban to get some information on the logistics.
“We also hope that our team members will also take care of their safety while being on the mission.
“Should there be any need for more assistance, we will surely provide what we can,” Yew said during a symbolic flagging-off ceremony held at City Hall this morning.
Yew is also the Malaysian Association of Local Authorities (MALA) president.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government has also earlier sent flood relief assistance via the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Penang.
Chow said a flood relief mission involves three stages: firstly, the rescue and relief work, secondly the cleaning work, and thirdly the restoration work in the affected areas.
“The rescue and relief stage would normally involve the armed forces and other agencies that have the relevant assets, for instance, the fire brigade.
“The second stage involves cleaning work in the affected areas which, the MBPP can help with as they have the relevant assets such as the combi and their experienced squad.
“Earlier, the State Secretary Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar had also sent APM to Johor to provide assistance,” Chow said.
It is learned that the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) had also sent their mission team to Johor earlier.
Chow said he also hoped that besides the Johor government, the Federal government and also other state governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate bodies can also assist in the post-flood relief works (stage 3).
Also present were state executive councillors Jagdeep Singh and Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, MBPP secretary Datuk A. Rajendran and other dignitaries.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat
