Johor records first flood casualty after man found dead in car near Kluang

KLUANG – The first flood casualty in Johor was recorded in Kluang after a man was found dead inside a car that was believed to have been swept away by floodwaters, at Jalan GSA Chamek, Paloh, near here this afternoon.

Kluang police chief ACP Bahrin Mohd Noh said the 20-year-old victim was driving his car to work at a palm oil processing factory nearby when flood waters swept the car away at about 7.20am.

“Search and rescue efforts were carried out, and at 12.20pm, a Toyota Avanza car was found submerged in floodwaters.

“Upon inspecting the car, a man was found dead inside the car. The body of the victim was later sent to the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang for a post-mortem.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said a viralled video on the TikTok app showing a bridge collapsing and being swept away by floodwaters was not an incident in Johor but rather from elsewhere, probably in another country.

Further, the 20-second video clip that is making its rounds on social media since yesterday is actually dated December 12.

“The Johor police contingent would like to confirm that such an incident did not happen in Johor. The incident is believed to have happened in another country.

“Members of the public are advised to not spread fake news that can raise fear among the community. Legal action will be taken against anyone spreading such news or fake messages,” he said.

Meanwhile, a total of 89 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates in Johor were stranded and could not sit for their examination at 10.30am due to the flood situation, said Johor education, information and communication committee chairman Norlizah Noh.

She said all of them were from eight schools in Johor Baru, one in Kulai and seven in Segamat.

Norlizah said a total of 127 candidates were forced to board at four examination centres involving SMK Laksamana, SMK Tun Habab, SMK Agama and SMK Bandar in Kota Tinggi.

She noted that another 89 other candidates arrived safely at the examination centres, with some of them starting late.

Floods began to hit Johor last night, involving 2,162 flood victims from 581 families in five districts namely Segamat, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Johor Baru and Kulai. – Bernama, March 1, 2023