Farmer Han Chan Yong, 84, said that he lost more than 20 out of the 300 durian trees he has in his orchard in Chaah, Segamat, during the floods in March last year. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: They have been hit by floods time and again, causing hundreds to thousands of ringgit worth of losses, but that has not shattered the spirit of the resilient businesses and farm owners here.
Farmer Han Chan Yong, 84, said he lost more than 20 out of the 300 durian trees he has in his orchard in Chaah, Segamat, during the floods in March last year.
“I cannot really estimate the losses I suffered from the flood in terms of ringgit, but I know that at least 20 trees died because of the flood last year alone.
“Some of the trees were planted over 20 years ago, and even the youngest ones are at least five years old. Years of hard work went down the drain in just a blink of an eye.
“While the floods this year have yet to reach my orchard, I cannot heave a sigh of relief just yet as I know that things can change very fast.
“I am considered lucky as the floods do not hit my farm every year, but when they do, the effects are devastating,” he told The Star.
Han added that he will continue to tend to his 4ha orchard and take it one step at a time.
“We cannot control the weather. No one asks for this, and there is no point in me giving up years of hard work just because of this,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment was Hafiz Hazim Khairi, 19, who started operating a stall selling drinks in Kota Tinggi just two years ago.
“I started off by helping my mother operate her stall before opening up my own after completing my secondary schooling.
“We may not earn much from the small business, but its enough to cover our day-to-day expenses.
“However, when floods hit, we lose our source of income for weeks. Apart from not being able to operate the stall, the floodwaters also wash away chairs, table and even the canopy.
“I have only been in business for about two years but have already been affected by floods three times, including the most recent one this month,” he said.
Hafiz Hazim added that while he is saddened by the experience, he chose to pick himself up and be prepared for the next wave of floods.
Aini Salleh, 47, who owns a restaurant in Kota Tinggi, said she has been hit by floods almost every year since starting her business in 2017.
“I think most people are used to it. Every time the floods hit, you can see the same scene in Kota Tinggi town,” she said.
The flood situation in Johor has seen significant improvements over the past few days and as of 1pm yesterday, there are 65 people at the two temporary flood relief centres in Segamat.
At least seven districts, including Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat and Johor Baru, have been hit by the floods that started in early January.
