Johor to set up a climate change and disaster committee
ISKANDAR PUTERI, March 27 — The Johor state legislative assembly today unanimously agreed to establish a state climate change and disaster management committee.
Johor state legislative assembly deputy speaker Datuk Samsolbari Jamali, said all 56 assemblymen agreed to the idea.
The proposal was approved by Johor balancing force chief Andrew Chen Kah Eng and was supported by Kukup assemblyman Datuk Jefridin Atan.
Earlier, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that the committee will work to examine laws and regulations related to climate change as well as flood disaster management.
He said that the proposed committee will play a role in looking at the initiatives taken in dealing with climate change and the effectiveness of flood mitigation measures at the district and state levels.
“The committee will also study other alternatives in dealing with the issue of floods, flash floods and frequent floods in a particular area in the event of continuous heavy rain.
“Next is to examine the various solutions that can be used to minimise the damage to property and infrastructure due to flooding, including the relocation of residents.
“Improvements will also be suggested by the committee so that immediate action can be taken by relevant departments and agencies in dealing with the impact of climate change and floods,” said Onn Hafiz.
The Machap assemblyman said this during his winding-up speech at the Johor state legislative assembly on Kota Iskandar here today.
Onn Hafiz said a total of 13 state assemblymen, consisting of eight from the government and five from the Opposition, will join the committee.
“The committee will be chaired by Anuar Abd Manap (Pemanis-BN). The members will be Datuk Jefridin Atan (Kukup-BN), Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan (Sri Medan-BN), Nor Rashidah Ramli (Parit Raja-BN), Tan Chong (Bekok- BN), Selamat Takim (Sungai Balang-BN), Fauziah Misri (Penawar-BN), Mohamad Najib Samuri (Parit Yaani-BN).
“They will be joined by Andrew Chen Kah Eng (Stulang-DAP), Gan Peck Cheng (Penggaram-DAP), Amira Aisya Abd Aziz (Puteri Wangsa-Muda), Liow Cai Tung (Johor Jaya-DAP) and Alawiyah Talib (Endau-PN),” he said.
On March 19, Onn Hafiz proposed the establishment of a Climate Change and Flood Management Committee comprising assemblymen.
He said the formation of a committee, made up of assemblymen irrespective of their political affiliation, was in response to the reminder by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar that the Johoreans should cultivate environmentally friendly practices, maintain cleanliness and reduce pollution.
