Floods: Relocation must factor in victims' livelihood too, says Perak MB

IPOH: District and Land Offices in Perak must identify suitable places to relocate flood victims that take their livelihood and socio-economic needs into consideration, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic).

"For example, back in 2014 in Lenggong, 20 families had to evacuate their homes due the bad flood," the Perak Mentri Besar told reporters at the state Information Department here on Tuesday (Dec 13).

"To move flood victims, we must consider several factors including their livelihood. Some of them lived near Sungai Perak and depended on the river for income.

"So if we were to move them, it has to be someplace where they can make a living."

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On Dec 8, The National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre under the Irrigation and Drainage Department issued a preparedness notice for possible flash floods within 24 hours in eight districts in Perak and Selangor.

In Perak, the districts at risk are Bagan Datuk district (Pekan Simpang Empat and surrounding area), Hilir Perak (Changkat Jong and surrounding areas) and Perak Tengah (Pasir Salak, Pasir Panjang Hulu and surrounding areas).

Saarani said the state government is also working towards building new houses for flood victims.

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"In 2020, we had an allocation of RM3.9mil to build 28 houses at Kampung Ayer Hitam in Teluk Intan for victims.

"However we had to postpone the project due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The initial contractor also withdrew because of increases in construction costs.

"So we will check again with the state Housing and Property Board on the new allocation as well as the right time to start the project," he said.