Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup) delivering his speech about the formation a climate change and flood management committee during the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar on March 27, 2023.
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state assembly has unanimously agreed to form a Johor Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee.
The motion, proposed by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, received the support of the 56 state assemblymen on Monday (March 27).
He proposed for the committee to be made up of 14 state assemblymen including a chairman.
The motion was debated by Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup) who said that climate change is not something new; it is a global issue where many studies not only proved its negative effects but scientists have also forecast it to worsen in the next 20 years.
“Malaysia is also affected by climate change where floods, flash floods, dry spells and soil erosion are common occurrences.
“Johor was badly hit by floods starting last month with waters reaching 3m, involving more than 85,000 victims.
“The flooding this time round was comparable to the major 2006 floods and it was due to an extraordinary amount of rainfall, the highest recorded in the state so far,” he told the state assembly in Kota Iskandar here on Monday (March 27).
He said the committee should involve state assemblymen from various political parties to play a role in advising and monitoring issues related to climate change and disaster management.
The motion was passed by Johor Deputy Speaker Datuk Samsolbari Jamali.
On March 19, Onn Hafiz proposed the setting up of the committee after state Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar reminded Johoreans to practise environmentally friendly habits, maintain cleanliness and reduce pollution.
