JOHOR Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi has described the current flood situation in the state as quite critical, with more than 20,000 residents affected by it. 

He said the federal and state governments have joined hands to ensure people receive assistance as soon as possible. 

“I hope the victims are patient and we pray that this flood will recede quickly, and the weather today will improve in Segamat,” he told reporters after visiting flood victims at the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) in SK Temenggong Abdul Rahman today. 

Onn Hafiz said flood victims were rescued by security forces such as the Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Armed Forces, and the Civil Defence Force. 

He added that in a crisis like this, all parties showed strong commitment, especially in providing food, tents, and other necessities. 

He also expressed his appreciation to the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who agreed to provide food aid. 

The state disaster management committee said the number of flood victims has more than doubled to 25,213 people involving all 10 districts. 

Segamat is the worst affected district with 2,050 families transferred to 55 PPS, followed by Kluang (1,559 families in 39 PPS), Kota Tinggi (769 families in 18 PPS), Johor Baru (607 families in 12 PPS) and Pontian (58 families in five PPS). 

A Bernama survey in Segamat found that the water level had decreased but some roads were still impassable to light vehicles. 

Floodwaters washed away several vehicles parked on the roadside near the entrance to Segamat town. – Bernama, March 2, 2023.