THE cabinet today decided not to declare a flood emergency in Johor, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. 

Fahmi, who is also unity government spokesman, said the main topic discussed during the meeting was immediate actions Putrajaya can take to assist Johor. 

“The cabinet’s view is towards what we (the federal government) can do, including examining which government assets we can mobilise immediately,” he said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today. 

He said the federal government had channelled RM50 million in flood aid to Johor.

Johor had 33,149 flood victims as at 8am today, housed in 217 temporary relief centres.

Fahmi said the meeting also focused on efforts to rescue people trapped in areas severely affected by floods using Bailey bridges.

“This is to ensure the road network, which is broken due to damaged bridges, can be reconnected,” said Fahmi.

He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim asked cabinet members to visit flood locations as representatives of their ministries and identify the types of aid that can be channelled to victims.

Fahmi said his ministry’s focus is to ensure continuity of service of thet telecommunications network so those in flood-affected areas are not cut off.

He said he has received reports that 90 telecommunications towers have been affected by the floods, and ordered the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to immediately repair the structures. – Bernama, March 3, 2023.