MORE than 1,000 Orang Asli have been stranded by floods in five villages in Mersing, Johor, since Sunday, said the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa).

Mersing Jakoa officer Nor Faizzi Sulaiman said land routes to Kampung Peta, Kampung Punan and Kampung Tewowoh have been cut off by up to 1.5m-high waters, while land routes to Kampung Orang Asli Tanah Abang and Kampung Orang Asli Tanjung Tuan have been under 0.3m-high waters since yesterday.

He added that villagers have food supplies to last a week provided by the Social Welfare Department.

“Communication is carried out between Jakoa and village representatives via WhatsApp three times a day. Village headmen or representatives involved will make reports and send photographs of the current conditions in their villages.

“If the villagers require supplies or have health emergencies, we will request for help from relevant agencies.”

Endau assemblyman Alwiyah Talib said her team will continue to monitor the flood situation, including in risky locations. – Bernama, January 5, 2022.