21-05-2025
Shoring up flood defences is high priority for Johor
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Eight flood mitigation works have been listed as high priority projects in Johor's efforts to tackle the natural disaster that occurs annually, says state exco member Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh.
The state works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman said that flood-related initiatives make up most of the 11 high-priority projects currently underway across Segamat, Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat, Muar, Tangkak and Johor Baru.
'Among the listed projects is the upgrading of Sungai Muar in Segamat and the meeting point between Sungai Jementah and Sungai Labis, costing RM461mil,' he told the state assembly at Kota Iskandar yesterday.
He detailed other significant projects, including phase three package two of the Sungai Muar flood mitigation project, which aims to increase the capacity of Sungai Labis, Sungai Jementah, and other tributaries, at a cost of RM70.95mil.
Another project listed was the RM187.17mil Batu Pahat flood mitigation works and phase one package one of the Sungai Johor flood mitigation projects, valued at RM376mil, to build a retention pond and upgrade the river.
Additionally, phase one package two, covering river and tributary upgrades in Kota Tinggi, is costing RM74.2mil.
'These projects in Segamat, Batu Pahat, and Kota Tinggi began last year and are scheduled for completion by 2029, though some are projected to finish ahead of schedule in 2027,' he added.
Mohamad Fazli (BN-Bukit Pasir) was replying to questions from Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup), Anuar Abd Manap (BN-Pemanis) and Marina Ibrahim (PH-Skudai) who asked for updates regarding flood mitigation works approved by the Federal Government and steps to mitigate floods in Johor, which were a common occurrence.
Mohamad Fazli also informed the state assembly that other high priority projects include enforcing dam structure in Sembrong, Batu Pahat, at a cost of RM33mil, which is set for completion by July 2028.
Three other projects from the list were in the pre-planning stage, with discussions ongoing about the design and technical studies involving locations in Muar, Tangkak, Batu Pahat and Johor Baru, he said.
'The state has also taken proactive measures by approving nine other flood mitigation projects worth RM15.53mil to tackle the issues in Tangkak, Pontian, Kulai, Segamat, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Batu Pahat, Mersing and Johor Baru.'
