SIX Muda volunteers in Johor have been called in for questioning for breaching Covid-19 rules while helping victims of flood, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said.

“The volunteers sent food to flood victims without the permission of the district officer hence they are under investigation,” the Muda chief said on Facebook Live.

The Muar MP said the authorities should not treat volunteers like criminals.

“I apologise for the mistake and I also hope the authorities will ease the rules for those who want to help,” he said.

Johor Muda chief Mohd Azrol Ab Rahani said the volunteers were accused of breaching the standard operating procedure (SOP) because they did not get permission for their flood rescue and relief efforts from the Segamat district officer.

“After we left a school in Segamat, we were told the next day that several police reports were lodged against us,” said Azrol.

Segamat was the first district in Johor to be drenched by floods this year with almost 2,000 residents evacuated from their homes.

Thirty relief centres are open in the district to house 1,771 people from 452 households. Twenty-nine villages and three housing areas are affected, and the numbers are expected to rise. – January 9, 2022.