Johor cops reassure flood evacuees their properties are safe

JOHOR BARU, Jan 26 — Johor police have reassured displaced homeowners evacuated to temporary flood relief centres that their properties and belongings are safe.

Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat asked flood victims not to worry unduly as patrols in the affected residential areas of all districts will be stepped up from today, with more than 5,000 policemen deployed.

“The police give an assurance that displaced residents’ houses are safe from any potential break-ins or theft.

“We have ordered all policemen, especially in flood-affected districts, to ramp up security.

“For example, in Kluang, policemen are stationed round-the-clock along main roads to maintain security.

“Apart from rescue efforts, we are also responsible for ensuring the safety of abandoned houses or premises from potential perpetrators,” said Kamarul Zaman to reporters during the Johor police contingent headquarters’ monthly assembly here today.

Also present were Johor deputy police chief Deputy Commissioner M. Kumar and other state senior officers.

Kamarul Zaman said police will increase personnel numbers should the need arise, in addition to ensuring close cooperation with the security agencies involved in operations during the flood period.

As of noon today, flood victims in Johor continued to increase to 5,528 people who are placed in 58 temporary flood relief centres. Those affected consisted of a total of 1,536 families.

The districts currently hit by the floods are Segamat, Mersing, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Muar and Batu Pahat.