JOHOR BARU – With their homes and belongings washed away, 100 Orang Asli families from the Jakun tribe in Kg Peta, Mersing remain stranded and in dire need of assistance.
Speaking to The Vibes, Jaringan Perkampungan Orang Asli Johor (JPOAJ) Chairman Dollah Bin Tekoi explained that the village which is located in a forest has been cut off from help after the road heading to Endau Rompin National Park from Kahang was flooded.
“So far I have heard that the army has sent food to the village via helicopter and JPOAJ has sent some supplies there using a boat.
“I don’t think it will be enough because how long can a few bags of rice last?
"I wouldn’t say government assistance is enough, but emergency provisions are there, we just hope there will be more in the coming days,” Dollah said when contacted.
However, what may be more of a concern for the villagers is post-flood assistance.
Dollah pointed out that the floods have destroyed the homes of the community, with some houses washed away by the river.
“It is urgent that these villagers are provided with basic necessities like kitchen utilities, beds, pillows and blankets.
“We also have to take into account that their valuables, motorcycles and vehicles are all gone too.
“They are going to need help to rebuild their lives,” Dollah explained.
According to a tweet by Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) yesterday, Orang Asli villages in the districts of Segamat, Kluang, Mersing and Kota Tinggi have been affected by the recent floods in Johor.
Beberapa Kampung Orang Asli di Johor terjejas akibat hujan berterusan dan banjir. Rumah ranap, jalan semua terputus, hanya boleh naik bot atau heli, air masih di paras berbahaya ?
— KAMY - Klima Action Malaysia (@KlimaAction) March 2, 2023
Situasi kritikal! Lima kampung yg terjejas setakat ini: pic.twitter.com/lbE0KddgI7
KAMY also informed that there has been no information from several villages as communication lines and roads have been cut off.
These include Kg Peta, Kg Punan, and Kg Terowoh in Mersing as well as Kg Pucur and Kg Sg Peroh in Kahang. – The Vibes, March 3, 2023
