JOHOR BARU: More than RM11mil has been allocated by the Johor government to assist those affected by the ongoing floods that hit six districts.
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the aid would ease the burden of thousands of people, including businesses, affected by the floods in Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Kulai, Pontian and Batu Pahat.
“A total of RM3,000 will be disbursed before Hari Raya Aidilfitri to each of the 3,749 registered heads of households at flood relief centres (PPS).
“Flood victims who are affected but did not register at any PPS can submit an appeal for aid consideration through their respective local councils by the end of April,” he said in a statement.
Onn Hafiz said the assistance was a collaborative effort involving the state government, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), Johor Islamic Religious Council, local authorities and the Johor Housing Development Corporation.
The Mentri Besar added that Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaar traders affected by the floods in two local councils would also receive one-off aid.
“To ease their burden, we will give RM500 each to affected traders under the Johor Baru City Council and the Kota Tinggi District Council.
“This will benefit 441 traders from five bazaars in the two local councils.
“On top of that, we have also agreed to waive all charges for bazaars, except for Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaar’s rental, in nine local councils,” he said.
He added that six mosques, 17 surau and 43 educational institutions that were affected by the floods would also receive repair assistance from the state government.
Meanwhile, Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the state government would be proposing a rent waiver for April and May for tenants affected by floods at the Desa Mutiara People’s Housing Project (PPR).
“The waiver will apply to affected units, including 152 ground-floor flats and 40 shop lots within the public housing project.
“In addition, we will repair damaged infrastructure, including collapsed fences, futsal courts and open halls that were affected by the floods,” he said after visiting PPR Desa Mutiara.
The 40 shop lots within the PPR, which were impacted by the floods, would also be included in the recovery efforts, he said.
