Johor needs more hands to help in clean-up

Helping hands: Volunteers from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Segamat carrying out clean-up work at Kampung Tengah in Segamat. The state government is calling for more volunteers to help.

JOHOR BARU: Johor is seeking more volunteers to help carry out massive clean-up efforts in flood-hit areas.

State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said they need the volunteers to assist families.

“Most of the evacuees are still at the temporary relief centres but once they return home, they will require help,” he said, referring, among others, to the clearing of mud and removing of damaged belongings.

“Local councils here have instructed concession company SWM Environment Sdn Bhd to pick up garbage and other items that were damaged due to the floods.

“So far, more than 100,000 metric tonnes have been collected, but we need more volunteers to do the cleaning,” he said after launching a property gallery at JB Sentral here yesterday.

Besides mobilising the state’s volunteer arm, Southern Volunteers, he said the government had also sought the help of local councils.

“Local council staff from districts that are not badly affected by the floods will be sent to help out at flood locations,” he added.

Mohd Jafni encouraged non-governmental organisations and other groups to volunteer as well to help the flood victims get back on their feet.

He said the public can also donate items such as water jets, brushes and pails to help with the operation.

Mohd Jafni also said that the state government was looking at rent exemption for flood-affected business owners operating at premises owned by local councils.

“We are studying the matter to give rent exemption for a couple of months. Those who are affected by the floods should keep their police report as proof.

“The state government is considering taking this step to ease the financial burden of the flood victims,” he added.