Johor proposes setting up climate change, flood management committee - MB

ISKANDAR PUTERI - The Johor government today proposed the establishment of a Climate Change and Flood Management Committee which will consist of state assemblymen.

Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the setting up of the committee, which will be made up of assemblymen across the political parties, was also in response to the reminder issued by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

He said that on Thursday, Sultan Ibrahim urged all Johoreans to cultivate environmentally friendly practices, maintain cleanliness, and reduce environmental pollution.

The Ruler also reminded everyone that any development that is to be made 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 the issue of climate change.

"Therefore in accordance with Clause 32(8) of the Standing Order of the Johor State 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 (BN-Machap).

He said this in his reply to oral questions at the First Meeting of the Second Term of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly at Sultan Ismail Building, Kota Iskandar, here, today.

He was replying to questions raised by Liow Cai Tung (PH-Johor Jaya), Chiong Sen Sern (PH-Bukit Batu), Nor Rashidah Ramli (BN-Parit Raja) and Chew Chong Sin (PH-Mengkibol) regarding the state government’s efforts and plans to address floods as well as additional allocations given to 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 the plans that have been arranged and drawn up, improve and learn from countries that have been through the disaster apart from having a comprehensive plan.

In addition, the Menteri Besar also explained about the additional allocation requested from the federal government amounting to RM1.153 billion was to repair the damage following the disaster.

He said in addition to the Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) project, the application is for allocations to carry out repair work on 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 Department of Irrigation and Drainage for RTB 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 to be given to the agencies involved to repair the damage caused by the floods.

Earlier, he also expressed his gratitude to Sultan Ibrahim and the royal family for their concern, as well as help in terms of money and assets.

The Menteri Besar also expressed his appreciation to all the state and federal government agencies involved for their hard work in helping the flood victims, in addition to the immediate allocation from the federal government.

Following the floods which hit Johor on Feb 28, more than 85,000 people in 10 districts statewide were affected by the disaster. - BERNAMA