KUALA LUMPUR – Volunteers and non-government organisations (NGOs) wanting to assist in flood relief efforts in Segamat, Johor are welcomed but must register with local authorities, said district officer Nasri Md Ali, amid the move by police to question Muda volunteers on the matter.
Nasri, who is also the district Disaster Management Committee chairman, said registration is needed for the purpose of coordination, safety, and well-being of all quarters.
He added that any individuals, NGOs, and agencies not from the government must submit their applications to the Segamat Flood Operations Command Centre.
“All applications need to receive approval from the chairman of the Segamat District Disaster Management Committee,” he said in a statement.
As at 8pm yesterday, he said 28 flood relief centres were still active, while 40 had been closed in the district.
Nasri said the distribution of donated goods will be coordinated by the Flood Operations Command Centre, with the items stored at the Segamat Post-Flood Command Centre before being handed out to leaders such as village heads on the grassroots level.
Clean-up efforts, he added, will also be facilitated by the Segamat Post-Flood Command Centre, located at Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim.
“It is reminded that only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to apply (to assist) to avoid any Covid-19 clusters caused by overcrowding and the failure to comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs).”
Earlier today, Muda founder and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman called for authorities to be more flexible after police roped in six volunteers for allegedly breaching SOPs.
Syed Saddiq said his party did not want to delay handing out assistance to flood victims who needed immediate help.
“Some victims were hungry and have been waiting for food. That is why the Muda volunteer team acted quickly to send help to them. We will use the best opportunity to help the people affected by the floods.
“Don’t treat these volunteers as criminals. The police have opened an investigation simply because they (volunteers) delivered food aid directly,” he said in a post on social media this morning.
He will meet with district authorities, adding that his party will try to comply with all related SOPs. – The Vibes, January 9, 2022
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