Johor climate change and natural disaster committee formed

ISKANDAR PUTERI - The Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting today unanimously approved the formation of a Climate Change and Natural Disaster Committee that will comprise 13 assemblymen from various parties in the state.

The proposal for the formation of the committee was debated by 56 assemblymen over five days from March 19.

This was stated by Johor state assembly deputy speaker Datuk Samsolbari Jamali on the last day of the sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar here.

Earlier, in his winding-up speech, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the issue of climate change is a very important matter and needs to be given serious attention as it also impacts the lives of the people and the future of Johor.

"The committee, to be chaired by Pemanis assemblyman Anuar Abd Manap, will examine laws and regulations related to climate change and flood disaster management,” he said.

Onn Hafiz, who is also Machap assemblyman, said the committee also has a role in studying the initiatives taken in dealing with climate change and the effectiveness of flood mitigation processes and measures at the district and state levels holistically.

He said the committee would also study alternatives in tackling issues of flash floods, stagnant floods and frequent floods in any area whenever there was heavy and continuous rain.

"In fact, this committee will study solutions that can be taken to minimise property and infrastructure damage due to floodings, including the proposed relocation of residents.

"In addition, this committee will also suggest improvements that can be taken by relevant departments and agencies in dealing with the impact of climate change and floods,” he said.

According to him, the formation of the committee, comprising seven assemblymen from the government and six from the opposition, is in response to the reminder by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar so that the people of Johor cultivate environmentally friendly practices, maintain cleanliness and reduce environmental pollution.

The committee members are Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup), Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan (BN-Sri Medan), Nor Rashidah Ramli (BN-Parit Raja), Tan Chong (PH-Bekok), Selamat Takim (BN-Sungai Balang), Fauziah Misri (BN-Penawar), Datuk Mohamad Najib Samuri (BN-Parit Yaani), Chen Kah Eng (PH-Stulang), Gan Peck Cheng (PH-Penggaram), Amira Aisya Abd Aziz (MUDA-Puteri Wangsa), Liow Cai Tung (PH-Johor Jaya) and Alwiyah Talib (PN-Endau).

On March 19, Onn Hafiz was reported to have said that the state government planned to establish a committee, to be made up of assemblymen across the political parties, in response to the reminder issued by the Sultan of Johor. - BERNAMA