KAPIT (March 26): Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Native Customs and Laws) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat handed over the ‘food baskets’, arranged by the Welfare Department, at the Bletih State Complex here on Monday.

The contributions were meant for the villagers of Muhibbah Bletih and Kampung Baru at Jalan Suhuili here, who were adversely affected by the recent floods.

The food baskets were symbolically presented by Jamit to Ketua Kampung Razali Abdullah from Kampung Muhibbah Bletih, while political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Watson Awan Jalai, handed over the items to Ketua Kampung Ahmad Jaraiee from Kampung Baru.

Kapit District officer Cerisologo Sabut, in a statement, said the floods badly affected 26 households, consisting of 149 people, in Kampung Muhibbah; and 56 households in Kampung Baru.

Jamit, meanwhile, thanked the village security and development committees (JKKKs) for working closely with Kapit District Disaster Management Committee and all the leading agencies.

He also thanked the local NGOs for providing help through their donations, meant to help the flood victims.

All agencies and authorities have been urged to immediately mobilise to assist with post-flood management efforts in several affected states, including Johor and Sabah, especially with Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaching.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said such efforts were crucial to help victims clean their homes and alleviate their burden.

“Given the situation in Johor and Sabah, which is gradually improving, all parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector, should come together to ease the hardships faced by flood victims,” said Anwar.

“The disaster has caused damage to property and assets, and even disrupted Aidilfitri preparations.”

This message was conveyed by his senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, during the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) daily briefing yesterday.

Three states — Johor, Sabah and Sarawak — have been hit by flooding since last week, with Johor being the hardesthit state, reporting thousands of evacuees.

AN e-hailing driver became an unexpected hero when he used his fishing boat to rescue more than 100 schoolchildren trapped in floods at a school in Taman Tampoi Utama here on Thursday.

Mohd Afiq Yuzaini, 30, braved neck-deep waters with the help of three of his neighbours, making more than 30 trips on foot and by boat to evacuate stranded students, senior citizens, disabled individuals and even pets from rising floodwaters.

“Lives matter more than possessions. If not us, then who?” he said at his flood-hit home in Villa Ros, Taman Tampoi Indah here yesterday.

About 10am on Thursday, Afiq learned from his neighbours that their children were trapped as floodwaters inundated SK Taman Tampoi Utama.

Realising he was the only one with an inflatable boat, he quickly inflated it while his neighbours carried it to the submerged area.

“I walked nearly a kilometre back and forth more than 30 times from morning till night, rescuing as many people as possible.

“The boat engine was useless in shallow areas, so we had to push it.” Afiq’s own home was inundated.

His wife, their 11-month-old baby, and two pet cats were moved to the upper floor for safety, but some important documents were lost.

His father, Yuzaini Mohd Yusop, 55, rushed from Singapore to assist. He managed to save Afiq’s car but lost his own vehicle to the floodwaters.

Afiq, who has lived in Villa Ros for 10 years, described the floods as the worst in 21 years. Many vehicles were submerged as residents were at work when the waters rose.

“My home was ruined, and I won’t be celebrating Raya this year. “But I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to help scores of flood victims. It is the greatest blessing.”

Afiq said his small boat had leaks that required constant draining to stay afloat, but seeing relieved parents reunited with their children made every trip worthwhile.

“Nyawa lebih penting daripada barang. Kalau bukan kita yang bantu, siapa lagi?,” kata Mohd Afiq Yuzaini yang menggunakan bot memancing untuk menyelamatkan lebih 100 murid yang terperangkap di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Tampoi Utama, di sini dalam kejadian banjir buruk, Khamis lalu.

Dalam kejadian itu, Mohd Afiq, 30, bersama tiga jiran di kediaman Villa Ros, Taman Tampoi Indah, di sini, meredah banjir sehingga paras leher untuk menyelamatkan ratusan murid terkandas seawal jam 11 pagi sehingga jam 8.30 malam.

Beliau mendapat maklumat daripada jiran yang memaklumkan anak mereka terperangkap disebabkan pekarangan sekolah dinaiki air pada jam kira-kira jam 10.30 pagi.

“Ketika itu saya fikir hanya saya yang ada bot, jadi saya dan jiran angkat bot ke kawasan banjir.

“Saya berulang-alik jalan kaki hampir satu kilometer, lebih 30 kali dari pagi sampai malam selamatkan murid, ada juga warga emas dan orang kurang upaya (OKU) yang memanggil minta tolong.

“Enjin bot memang tak boleh pakai sebab bukan semua kawasan banjir dalam, jadi memang kami tolak sahaja,” katanya ketika ditemui di Villa Ros, di sini semalam.

Mohd Afiq berkata, dalam kesibukan menyelamatkan nyawa orang lain, kediamannya turut ditenggelami air ketika isteri, bayi lelaki dan dua kucing peliharaan berada di kediaman berkenaan.

“Ayah, Yuzaini Mohd Yusop, 55, datang membantu dari Singapura. Ketika jam 1.30 tengah hari, ayah sempat selamatkan kereta saya yang diletakkan di hadapan rumah, tetapi keretanya pula tidak sempat dikeluarkan dan rosak akibat banjir.

“Isteri dan anak sudah naik di tingkat dua rumah, dokumen banyak tidak dapat diselamatkan.

“Naluri saya sebagai bapa mendorong saya bersama jiran dan ayah menyelamatkan pelajar. Kalau ikutkan memang penat seharian dalam air banjir, menolak bot sejauh satu kilometer dan berulang-alik.

“Ditambah bot saya pula ada kebocoran kecil, jadi setiap kali naik kami pam keluarkan air supaya ia boleh digunakan untuk mengang-kut mangsa banjir,” katanya.

Mohd Afiq yang bekerja sambilan sebagai pemandu e-hailing meluahkan kesyukuran melihat senyuman dan ucapan ibu bapa yang setia menunggu anak mereka diselamatkan dari sekolah.

Katanya, banjir kali ini adalah yang terburuk dalam tempoh 21 tahun kediaman itu dibangunkan.

“Saya menetap di sini sudah 10 tahun, ini kali pertama Villa Ros banjir sehingga ada kediaman air naik ke paras tingkap. Banyak kenderaan terperangkap kerana ketika itu waktu bekerja.

“Barang di rumah memang rosak, sampai sekarang belum siap bersihkan. Kalau cakap pasal raya memang saya tak raya tahun ini,” katanya.