JOHOR BARU: The state government aims to resolve about 90 per cent of the 102 identified flood hotspots across the state by next year.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said efforts to address these have been divided into three phases, which commenced last year with an allocation of RM170 million.
"Last year, RM50 million was set aside for flood mitigation projects covering 119 hotspots. This year, RM50 million more has been allocated for 65 locations. The remaining RM70 million will be used for the final phase next year, covering 37 locations.
"All 16 local councils in the state have identified 102 more flood hotspots this year. We have addressed 60 per cent of them this year.
"Next year, we plan to address another 20 per cent, with the remaining 10 per cent carried over from projects initiated in 2023," he said after representing Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the official opening of the UDA 2024 Carnival @ Johor at Angsana Johor Baru Mall here today.
Jafni said that resolving flood issues remained a top priority for the state government, as highlighted in the State Disaster Management Committee meeting held the day before.
"We have made early preparations, and during the meeting, we discussed workforce deployment and resources in response to the recent floods that hit Kluang, Batu Pahat, and Pontian on Oct 6," he said.
He added that all state executive councillors, along with agencies such as the National Disaster Management Agency, were involved in streamlining the process.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the armed forces, Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force, People's Volunteer Corps, police and all of Johor's 16 local councils.