THE Johor government has opened the main mosques in flood-affected areas in the state as additional relief centres, following the rising number of flood evacuees.

State Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said this is a contingency plan taken by the state government, to accommodate the high increase in the population affected by the floods.

As at 1pm today, seven mosques in the Batu Pahat district were opened as relief centres, namely, Pekan Sri Medan Mosque, Parit Jayus Mosque, Parit Baru Mosque, Simpang Tiga Parit Sulong Mosque, Kampung Parit Betong Mosque, Kampung Parit Jambi Mosque and Parit Andin 3 Mosque.

He said the move is also aimed at easing congestion at existing relief centres. 

“The (move) follows guidelines provided to safeguard the sanctity of the mosques. 

“There are some residents who had to spend the night in their cars last night, as the water rose quickly, and it just so happened that the existing relief centres could not accommodate them,” said Fared.

He said this to reporters after accompanying Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi to the relief centre at SJKC Yong Peng 1 in Batu Pahat today. 

As at 12pm today, 218 centres were open statewide, housing more than 30,000 flood evacuees. – Bernama, March 3, 2023.