JOHOR BAHRU, 24 March 2025

With floodwaters receding across affected districts in Johor, the authorities have launched a large-scale clean-up ope­ration to clear debris and assist residents in rebuilding their lives, especially with Hari Raya just around the corner.

Deputy State Secretary On Jabbar said the government has deployed more than 3,000 people from Sou­thern Volunteers, a volunteer body, since March 22 to aid in the clean-up efforts.

“The majority of our volunteers are young people, including university students, youth group members, residents’ committee members, and government employees from various agencies and departments.

“We are using government assets such as water jets and lorries to facilitate the operation,” he said on March 23.

Currently, volunteers are focused on flood-affected areas in Johor Bahru before moving on to other districts.

“We aim to finish early so our Muslim volunteers can return home in time to break their fast. Our goal is to complete the clean-up before Hari Raya,” Datuk On added.

SWM Environment corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin said favourable weather conditions have allowed more than 30,000kg of flood waste to be collected since post-flood operations began on March 21.

“We have deployed various machinery, including roll-on/roll-off lorries, water jet lorries... and backhoes, to assist with the clean-up.

“The operation covers 15 flood-affected locations in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Pontian and Kulai,” he said.

Mr Mohd Norlisam added that the firm is working closely with local councils and waste management agency SWCorp, and is on standby to extend assistance to other flood-affected districts, including Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat and Kluang.

Livestock farmer Osman Cheyakutty, 55, said he has suffered more than RM300,000 (S$90,000) in losses since floodwaters submerged his goat farm in Kangkar Tebrau on March 20.

“Praise be to God, our goats are not affected as their pens are located on higher ground. However, we suffered significant losses, particularly with our stock of frozen goat meat,” he said.

The flood also damaged his two lorries, two cars, nine freezers, two cold storage rooms, office equipment and workers’ living quarters.

During the sudden flood, Mr Osman and his workers had little time to save their equipment; they prioritised their own safety instead.

“The water has only just started receding, so we are rushing to clean up as soon as possible, especially with Hari Raya approaching.

“This year’s celebration will be modest, as our focus is on restoring our operations,” he said.

Mr Osman, who has been running the business since 1990, urged the authorities to take immediate action to prevent similar flooding in future.