JOHOR BARU: About 70 people have been relocated to two temporary relief centres in Kota Tinggi following heavy rainfall that started early Wednesday (Feb 5).

The Johor disaster management committee said the victims are from Kampung Baru Sungai Mas, Taman Desaru Utama and Taman Penawar Harmoni.

Penawar fire station operations commander Soleh Nasir said about 80% of the residents at Taman Desaru Utama had been evacuated.

“The water level is knee deep and rescue operations are ongoing," he said.

PETALING JAYA – Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) mengeluarkan amaran hujan berterusan tahap buruk dijangka berlaku di beberapa kawasan di Sarawak hingga esok.

MetMalaysia menerusi kemas kini amaran yang dikeluarkan pada pukul 1.30 pagi tadi memaklumkan daerah dijangka terlibat adalah Sarikei (Sarikei dan Meradong), Sibu (Sibu) dan Mukah.

Selain itu, MetMalaysia turut memaklumkan, amaran hujan berterusan tahap waspada turut dikeluarkan di Sabah pada hari ini membabitkan Pantai Barat (Ranau dan Kota Belud), Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan, Beluran dan Sandakan) dan Kudat.

Sementara itu, Pusat Gerakan Operasi Sarawak melaporkan seramai 19 penduduk yang tinggal di dua buah rumah panjang dipindahkan ke Pusat Pemindahan Sementara (PPS) Kompleks Sukan Kanowit ekoran banjir malam tadi.

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MIRI (Feb 5): A family-established local trust fund has contributed aid to the victims of the floods and landslides here.

The Pewarisi Haji Solhi Trust Fund was established by the family of the late local figure, Solhi Edin, meant as a platform to help provide financial assistance for education and other necessities to the family members, as well as to support the neighbouring communities in times of need.

Demonstrating its commitment to helping those affected by disasters, the fund committee held a simple handing-over ceremony at the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Miri temporary relief centre (PPS) yesterday.

The trust fund’s patron Datuk Sharbini Suhaili personally delivered the donations to victims of the recent floods and landslide here.

He was accompanied by the fund’s chairman Alimin Solhi.

The flooding in Sarawak, which first struck late last month, has displaced many families, while a landslide in Kampung Lereng Bukit here on Jan 28 claimed five lives and forced many to evacuate their houses.

KUCHING (Feb 5): The role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) cannot be underestimated when it comes to response to disasters, as can be seen in the recent floods.

In pointing this out, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said while government agencies and security forces hold a significant responsibility in disaster management, NGOs provide critical on-the-ground support, ensuring that all aid and assistance would reach affected communities swiftly and effectively.

“For those impacted by floods or any other disasters, this assistance is meant to ease their burden.

“While the government and the military are mobilised to provide emergency aid, NGOs are often the ones who are able to reach those in need more efficiently, offering immediate relief and long-term support,” he said.

He was speaking at a ceremony to present allocations amounting to RM282,000 from the Pantai Damai Service Centre here to 67 organisations, including NGOs and educational institutions from the Pantai Damai constituency.

Adding on, Dr Abdul Rahman also emphasised the importance of collaboration between NGOs, government agencies and other groups towards enhancing the preparedness for disasters and improving response efforts.

Moreover, the Pantai Damai assemblyman underscored the need for greater participation of youths in community-building efforts, ensuring that they would continue to be well-informed about Sarawak’s long-term development agenda.

“I would like to emphasise is that in facilitating our growth journey, we want to make sure that we can deliver information to the members of the community, especially when it involves the younger generation.

“Perhaps it is not just about sharing the objectives of our leadership direction or the utilisation of Sarawak’s resources currently being pursued by our leadership—more importantly, our leadership is making provisions for the people, ensuring a better future for Sarawak in the next 10 to 20 years,” he added.