Floods: Eights schools in Johor to have permanent relief centres, says Zahid

BATU PAHAT: Eight schools in Johor will have permanent relief centres to house flood victims during the monsoon season, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the initiative is part of the smart partnership between the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the schools involved.

"We will start with eight schools in Mersing and Batu Pahat, where we will build multipurpose halls.

"These halls can be used by the selected schools for their activities when there are no floods," he said during a press conference after visiting the flood victims at Dewan Orang Ramai Sri Medan here on Tuesday (Jan 31).

He added that the decision was made as the majority of the temporary relief centres (PPS) in the state are schools located in high areas.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Nadma chairman, said that the government will also set up a Civil Defence Force (APM) regiment at all 222 parliamentary constituencies in the country this year.

"I have met with the APM chief commissioner Aminurrahim Mohamed over the move," he said, adding that all of the new recruits will be undergoing flood, fire, and accident rescue training.

Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, also said the state disaster management committee led by the Johor government has done a great job in mobilising the rescue agencies and helping flood victims.

He also thanked Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim for mobilising the Southern Volunteers (SV) at all temporary relief centres in the state.