BAGAN DATUK (March 18): The Cabinet has decided that part of the additional allocation of RM150 million announced on Friday (March 17) will be used for the construction of Bailey bridges in flood-affected areas in Johor.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the construction involves collapsed roads, including in Sekijang.
“The Member of Parliament [for Sekijang] has told me the need for a Bailey bridge there.
"The district-level coordinating committee will be able to instal the Bailey bridge, before the repairs and upgrading of the roads are completed," he told reporters at the Bagan Datuk Umno division delegates meeting here on Saturday. Zahid is the president of Umno.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ordered all government machinery to help in post-flood operations in Johor, and approved the additional allocation of RM150 million.
Meanwhile, Zahid said post-flood works at about 15 affected schools in Johor are being carried out to ensure that students can return to school for the 2023/2024 academic calendar scheduled for Sunday.
He asked parents to be patient if the schools involved are still unable to operate, and the government through the central disaster committee, as well as the state and district disaster committees, are trying to coordinate the recovery work.
"The stagnant floodwaters in five districts in Johor, God willing, will recede because the there’s no more rain and works to pump out the floodwaters are being carried out.
"There is also the addition of high-powered pumps for low-lying areas,” he added.