KOTA BARU: Fears of the third wave of floods have compelled several organisers to cancel their plans to hold celebrations and other programmes in the state to usher in the New Year.
State Local Government committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said most of the organisers were from Tanah Merah and Kuala Krai.
"I was informed that several entertainment organisers had earlier planned to hold events to celebrate the New Year, but after hearing the weather forecast, they decided to cancel their permit applications.
"As of yesterday, the local municipal councils had only approved four permits for organisers to hold New Year celebration events.
"One permit was for the Monsoon Food Festival, two for dikir barat performances, and another for a singing performance," he said, adding that the permits were issued in Kota Baru, Tanah Merah, and Tumpat.
On Dec 24, Hilmi urged anyone seeking to host events to ring in the New Year in Kelantan to obtain a permit and an entertainment licence from local authorities.
He said applications must be made in advance, as last-minute applications would not be entertained.
He added that those organising New Year's celebrations without a permit and an entertainment licence could face action under Section 6 of the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Enactment, which carries a maximum fine of RM20,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both.
Earlier today, it was reported that the number of people evacuated from their homes in the state has increased from 368 yesterday to 882 last night due to the worsening flood situation in Tanah Merah, Machang and Kuala Krai.
Checks with the Welfare Department's Info Bencana portal also showed the water level for Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang has reached 9.11m, which is 0.11m above the danger mark of 9m as of 7.30am today.