THE first flood casualty in Johor was recorded in Kluang after a man was found dead inside a car believed to have been swept away by flood waters, at Jalan GSA Chamek, Paloh, this afternoon.

Kluang police chief Bahrin Mohd Noh said the 20-year-old victim was driving his car to work at a palm oil processing factory nearby when waters swept the car away at around 7.30am.

“Search and rescue efforts were carried out and at 12.20pm, a Toyota Avanza was found submerged in flood waters.

“Upon inspection, a man was found dead inside the car. The body was sent to Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang for a post-mortem.”

In a separate statement, Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said a viral TikTok video showing a bridge collapsing and being swept away by flood waters was not an incident that occurred in Johor, and may have happened in another country.

“Members of the public are advised not to spread fake news that can raise fear in the community. Legal action will be taken against anyone spreading such news or fake messages,” he said.

The 20-second video clip making its rounds on social media since yesterday was found to be dated December 12, 2022. – Bernama, March 1, 2023.