Floods: Crucial to be alert and follow instructions if asked to relocate, Dr Wee tells victims

PETALING JAYA: The Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) has been mobilised at the newly-opened relief centre in Kampung Haji Kamisan, Chah following flash floods in Ayer Hitam.

This prompted Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to rush back to his constituency in Johor from Putrajaya.

The Ayer Hitam MP said after a discussion with the ministry’s new Finance Department secretary Guna Arulalan David, he left Putrajaya to Kampung Haji Kamisan in Chaah, Yong Peng on Monday (Jan 3).

He earlier attended five meetings at the ministry since Monday morning and instructed the CRSM to be mobilised at the newly-opened relief centre at the village to offer assistance immediately.

“I am concerned about the residents in the village as they are also my voters.

“Kampung Haji Kamisan is prone to floods as it is located in a low-lying area next to a river.

“I wanted to make sure that the residents are safe and have received adequate assistance and food supply while at the flood relief centre,” he said on his Facebook page.

Dr Wee recalled that previous floods at the village robbed the lives of two, each in 2007 and 2010.

“This is why I want to remind all quarters to be alert and monitor the current situation closely.

“Please keep safe and listen to the authorities if advised to relocate to a flood-relief centre temporarily while waiting for the situation to improve,” he added.

He said CRSM was mobilised at the relief centre at Kampung Haji Kamisan to provide kitchen essential items and food for flood evacuees as soon as he knew about the floods.

He said according to his political secretary Ling Tian Soon, 55 victims from 15 families were transferred to the centre as of 4pm Monday.

The number of victims is expected to increase as the data is being updated, he added.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Ling, who is also the Johor MCA Youth chief, said all the flood victims underwent RTK Covid-19 tests before entering the flood relief centre.

“The victims took the tests at noon on Monday and the results turned out negative.

“Aside from that, the volunteers and I also helped to tidy and clear up the relief centre in preparation for more flood victims,” he added.

Later, Dr Wee visited flood victims at Dewan Kampung Haji Kamisan, which is being used as the temporary evacuation centre.

Dr Wee said that taking lessons from the major floods that hit Kampung Haji Kamisan in 2006 and 2010, he had started to build the hall with the intention, among others, for it to be used as a PPS, in addition for community activities.

"Thankfully, the hall which was built using the Members of Parliament allocation in 2015 and 2016 amounting to RM160,000 can now benefit the community, especially during the flood season.

"Now, flood victims can seek temporary shelter here in a much more comfortable and conducive condition compared to 2006 and 2010 where the PPS at that time was also inundated by floods," said Dr Wee in a statement.

He had also earlier stopped at fast food chain McDonald's to buy 85 sets of burgers to be distributed to all flood victims besides essentials such as diapers and formula milk.

"Thank you to the staff of Yong Peng health clinic who conducted health check-ups on each flood victim at the PPS.

"Let's pray together that the continuous rain subsides and the river water level recedes so that the flood victims can return to their homes as soon as possible," he said.