PELABUHAN KLANG: Selangor menjadi negeri pertama di negara ini yang menyediakan gudang makanan dalam usaha memperkukuh sistem keselamatan bekalan makanan terutama ketika berdepan kecemasan atau bencana.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari berkata, pelancaran Gudang Makanan Selangor (GMS) hari ini, bermula dengan simpanan stok dua bekalan makanan utama iaitu 5,000 tan metrik beras dan 1 juta kilogram daging sejuk beku.

Menurutnya, objektif penubuhan GMS adalah menstabilkan bekalan dan harga makanan, memperkukuh rantaian bekalan dan logistic, menyokong usahawan dan petani tempatan serta mengurangkan kebergantungan kepada import.

“(Tujuan GMS dilancarkan) Dalam tempoh kecemasan, ada bencana besar, ada pandemik, tidak boleh ada pergerakan, jadi paling tidak, kita yakin tiga bulan kita boleh bertahan.

“Ataupun dalam saat tertentu, ia boleh menjadi penimbal kepada harga. Kadang-kadang harga melambung disebabkan faktor tertentu dan kita boleh kembalikan di pasaran dengan harga yang jauh lebih berpatutan kepada rakyat, kalau tidak pun diberi secara percuma mungkin ada subsidi yang disimpan kepada rakyat.

“Keselamatan bekalan makanan ini lebih kepada makanan ruji terutama sumber protein dan karbohidrat sahaja yang boleh menyambung kehidupan rakyat seperti beras, daging, ayam, ikan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang media selepas menyempurnakan pelancaran GMS di Bandar Sultan Suleiman di sini, hari ini.

Hadir sama, Exco Infrastruktur dan Pertanian negeri, Datuk Izham Hashim dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Selangor (PKPS), Datuk Dr Mohamad Khairulil Mohamad Razi.

Amirudin berkata, ketika ini kerajaan negeri melalui PKPS menyewa sebahagian gudang Tiong Nam sebagai tempat simpanan daging sejuk beku dan beras berkenaan.

“Kita sudah kenal pasti tapak sebenar GMS di daerah Kuala Selangor dengan keluasan kira-kira 4.046 hektar, sekarang sedang tunggu proses Kebenaran Merancang (KM), tanah dan sebagainya, (dan) dijangka akan siap dibina dalam tempoh satu tahun setengah.

“Apabila kita ada gudang sendiri kelak, kita boleh laporkan kepada Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN), Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) serta Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM)

“Gudang ini akan menjadi satu kawasan keselamatan yang tidak boleh dimasuki atau dicabar mana-mana pihak,” katanya.

Beliau juga memaklumkan stok di gudang itu tidak akan disimpan selamanya, sebaliknya dikeluarkan dan diganti baharu secara berterusan.

“Tengok kepada tempoh luput produk itu, contohnya daging tempohnya boleh simpan sehingga dua tahun.

“Kalau ada keperluan untuk dipasarkan, kita pasarkan, tidak tunggu tarikh luput sebab kita ada jajaran kita, kita cipta pasaran kita sendiri dalam Jelajah Ehsan Rakyat (JER), Ehsan Mart dan juga pasar borong,” katanya.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan Persekutuan melalui Pusat Kawalan Bencana Negara, Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA), menyalurkan dana bernilai RM50.61 juta bagi membantu mangsa banjir yang sedang melanda Johor.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, berkata jumlah itu termasuk RM50 juta untuk Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI).

"Sebagai Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Pusat, saya bersimpati terhadap penduduk yang terjejas banjir di Johor Bahru, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Pontian dan Kulai.

"Saya berharap semua mangsa banjir terus diberi kekuatan dan kesabaran, apatah lagi dalam musim persiapan menyambut Aidilfitri," katanya yang juga Menteri Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah, dalam satu kenyataan, hari ini.

NADMA melaporkan seramai 10,851 mangsa banjir ditempatkan di PPS di Johor, setakat jam 12 tengah hari tadi.

Sebanyak 93 PPS dibuka di lima daerah negeri itu dengan jumlah mangsa tertinggi direkodkan di Johor Bahru (4,319), diikuti Kluang (2,191), Kota Tinggi (1,762), Pontian (1,422) dan Kulai (1,157).

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad Zahid berkata, Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri (JPBN) sudah menggerakkan aset pengoperasian bagi memastikan tindakan mencari dan menyelamat (SAR) mangsa banjir dilakukan sebaik mungkin.

Katanya, seramai 8,289 anggota bertugas, selain JBPN menyediakan 206 bot, 157 kenderaan utiliti sukan (SUV) atau van, 91 lori, 15 ambulans, dua pesawat udara dan satu dron bagi operasi banjir di Johor.

Beliau berkata, NADMA juga telah mengeluarkan Notis Kesiapsiagaan Operasi Bencana pada 18, 19 dan 21 Mac, kepada Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana negeri serta daerah apabila Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (METMalaysia) memberi amaran hujan berterusan.

"Notis itu bertujuan meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan menghadapi bencana bakal berlaku di kawasan berisiko.

"Tambahan pula, negara dijangka memasuki fasa peralihan monsun dengan keadaan ini boleh menggalakkan pembentukan awan ribut petir yang boleh mengakibatkan hujan lebat berserta angin kencang dalam tempoh singkat.

"Perkara yang membimbangkan kita ialah fenomena ini boleh menyebabkan banjir kilat dan kerosakan pada struktur tidak kukuh," katanya.

Justeru, Ahmad Zahid memohon semua pihak berkuasa, termasuk pejabat daerah dan agensi tindak balas, supaya melakukan pemantauan rapi di kawasan berisiko tinggi bagi mengurangkan risiko kehilangan nyawa akibat fenomena cuaca terbabit.

Beliau turut menasihati orang ramai sentiasa berwaspada serta peka dengan perubahan cuaca, sebelum merancang sebarang aktiviti, terutama pada musim perayaan tidak lama lagi.

"Saya juga berterima kasih kepada semua pihak serta komuniti setempat yang bertungkus lumus membantu mangsa banjir dan menghulurkan bantuan serta sumbangan dalam pelbagai bentuk bagi meringankan beban mangsa.

"Ini termasuklah kepada pertubuhan bukan kerajaan bawah Rakan NADMA seperti Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor dan 'Southern Volunteers' yang menggerakkan 200 sukarelawan bagi memberi tumpuan kepada bantuan segera makanan dan lain-lain bantuan bernilai RM175,000," katanya.

Orang ramai boleh melayari www.portalbencana.nadma.gov.my untuk mendapatkan laporan terkini dan sahih berkaitan bencana.

SIBU (March 21): The rising water levels in the Batang Rajang river basin have raised alarms, with several telemetry stations reporting readings exceeding danger thresholds, prompting immediate attention from authorities and residents.

As of 10.45am today, the Kapit New Headworks station recorded a water level of 18.22m, significantly above the normal 6.25m and surpassing the danger level of 15.80m.

Similarly, the Kapit Town station reported 17.82m, exceeding its danger level of 15.30m.

Other telemetry stations are also showing concerning trends. In Kanowit town, the water level has risen to 6.47m, surpassing the danger level of 5.59m.

At Durin Bazaar, the water level stands at 5.16m, above the danger threshold of 4.50m.

Additionally, Sungai Salim recorded a water level of 4.19m, exceeding its danger level of 3.10m, while at the Sibu Express Terminal, the water reached 3.03m, surpassing the danger mark of 2.90m.

Ranan Kemiding has also recorded 8.18m, surpassing its danger level of 7.17m.

These alarming levels significantly heighten the risk of flooding, particularly in Kanowit and Kapit town, where water levels are well above critical thresholds.

Local officials urge residents to remain vigilant and prepare for possible evacuations as conditions may worsen with continued rainfall.

Meanwhile, Sibu Zone 4 Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Chief Andy Alie said today that fire stations within the Sibu Zone are on standby around the clock, closely monitoring the flood situation and providing timely updates.

He advised the public to obtain official information on weather conditions and river water levels through the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and Sarawak Rivers Board official channels. For immediate assistance from rescue agencies, residents can call the emergency line at 999.

“Information on nearby temporary evacuation centres (PPS) can also be obtained through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) website.

“The community’s safety is our top priority. We encourage everyone to stay informed and take necessary precautions,” he said.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide regular updates to ensure public safety.

“Residents are advised to heed warnings and stay updated through official communication channels,” Andy reminded.

As the Batang Rajang river continues to rise, the community must remain prepared for sudden changes that could impact daily life and safety.

PUTRAJAYA, March 21 — The federal government, through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), has channelled RM50.61 million in funds to assist flood victims in Johor, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the funds include RM50 million for Compassionate Cash Aid (BWI), RM500,000 for Disaster Operations Management, and RM114,609 for the maintenance of temporary relief centres.

“I hope all flood victims will continue to be strong and patient, especially those preparing for Aidilfitri,” Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Committee chairman said in a statement today.

NADMA Disaster Control Centre reported that as of noon today, the number of flood victims evacuated to relief centres in Johor has surged to 10,851 from only 753 yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) had mobilised its assets to ensure that search and rescue operations for victims could be carried out as efficiently as possible.

“A total of 8,289 personnel, with 206 boats, 157 SUVs/vans, 91 lorries, 15 ambulances, two aircraft and a drone have been mobilised or placed on standby for the flood operations in Johor.

“NADMA has also issued Disaster Operations Preparedness Notices on March 18, 19, and 21 to the State and District Disaster Management Committees following continuous rain warnings from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia).

“These notices aim to enhance preparedness in dealing with potential disasters in high-risk areas,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also said that the country is expected to enter the monsoon transition phase, during which conditions may encourage the formation of thunderclouds, potentially leading to heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in short periods.

“What concerns us is that this phenomenon could cause flash floods and damage to fragile structures,” he remarked.

The deputy prime minister also expressed his gratitude to all parties and the local community who worked tirelessly to help the flood victims and provided assistance and contributions in various forms to ease the burden of the victims.

“This also includes non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under RakanNADMA such as the Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor and Southern Volunteers who have mobilised 200 volunteers who are focusing on immediate food aid and other assistance totalling RM175,000,” he said.

To reduce the risk of loss of life due to this weather phenomenon, Ahmad Zahid said he had instructed all authorities including district offices and response agencies to closely monitor high-risk areas.

“I would also like to advise the public to remain vigilant and stay alert to the current weather changes before planning any activities, especially with the upcoming festive season,” he added. — Bernama