ISKANDAR PUTERI – The Johor government today proposed the establishment of a Climate Change and Flood Management Committee made up of assemblymen across parties.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the setting up of the committee was also in response to Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar last Thursday urging all Johoreans to cultivate environmentally friendly practices, maintain cleanliness, and reduce environmental pollution.
The ruler also reminded that any development planned in hilly areas or highlands must maintain the natural topography of the areas involved.
Onn Hafiz said that Sultan Ibrahim’s decree is closely related to the Johor government’s mission to find effective measures to address climate change.
“Therefore in accordance with Clause 32(8) of the Standing Orders of the Johor assembly, the state government will submit a proposal on the establishment of a Climate Change and Flood Management Committee during this assembly session, and I hope that this proposal will be unanimously supported by all,” said Onn Hafiz (Machap-Umno).
He said this in his reply to oral questions at the Johor assembly here today by Liow Cai Tung (Johor Jaya-DAP), Chiong Sen Sern (Bukit Batu-PKR), Nor Rashidah Ramli (Parit Raja-Umno), and Chew Chong Sin (Mengkibol-DAP) regarding the state government’s efforts and plans to address floods as well as additional allocations for the agencies involved.
In his reply to Liow’s supplementary question about the committee, Onn Hafiz said the establishment of the committee is crucial so that Johor can refine plans that have been arranged and drawn up and improve and learn from other countries – apart from having a comprehensive plan.
In addition, the menteri besar also explained that the additional allocation requested from the federal government amounting to RM1.153 billion was to repair flood damage.
He said in addition to the Flood Mitigation Plan project, the application is for allocations to repair roads, infrastructure, and so on.
It includes RM168.64 million through the Public Works Department to repair roads, pavements, slopes, and others; RM35.676 million via district offices to repair schools, drains, ditches, and so on – in addition to RM904.772 million through the Irrigation and Drainage Department for flood mitigation projects and drainage systems, repairing bridges, river banks, and slopes.
Onn Hafiz said this when replying to Chew’s supplementary question about the additional allocation requested for agencies involved to repair flood damage.
Earlier, he also expressed his gratitude to Sultan Ibrahim and the royal family for their concern and help in terms of money and assets.
The menteri besar also expressed his appreciation to all state and federal government agencies involved for their hard work in helping flood victims, in addition to the immediate allocation from the federal government.
Following the floods which hit Johor on February 28, more than 85,000 people in 10 districts statewide were affected by the disaster. – Bernama, March 19, 2023
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