Floods: Johor cops to airlift food, supplies to over 1,500 people trapped by rising waters

Johor Police Chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat (left) taking a boat ride during his visit to Kampung Contoh, Kahang, Kluang.

KLUANG: Police will be using a helicopter to send food aid to plantation workers in Kampung Peta, near here, after the road leading to the area was cut off due to rising flood waters.

Johor Police Chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat (pic) said that there were more than 1,500 plantation workers stranded across 14 plantations, besides 647 Orang Asli in six villages, namely Kampung Orang Asli Pucur, Peroh, Sengka, Air Pasir Batu 17, Berasau, and Sedohok.

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"We can use either the helicopters from the police, the Malaysian Armed Forces, or the Fire and Rescue Department to send food.

"We are unable to do so today due to the current weather, and the visibility is also less than 1km, so we expect to send the aid tomorrow morning," he said Wednesday (Jan 25).

He said this during a press conference after visiting the SMK Kahang temporary relief centre (PPS), here, on Wednesday.

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Comm Kamarul Zaman added that sending a helicopter would be the best option as the areas were remote.

"It would take us about two hours to reach the destination by boat, so the best option is to use helicopters.

"Their area is safe, it’s just that the road leading there has been flooded and cannot be accessed by land vehicles," he said, adding that the villagers have also made contact with the police, informing that they have enough food supply for two days.

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Comm Kamarul Zaman also stated that 8,000 police officers and policemen have been deployed to assist with rescue operations and to monitor the situation in the flooded areas.

"We have received reports that some of the victims are worried that there might be theft that will break into their house.

"But rest assured, I have given out the orders to ensure all affected locations are protected," he said, adding that the police have also mobilised 200 vehicles.

The 8,000 officers and personnel were part of the 12,400 police officers that had been put on standby for the current monsoon season, he added.