KEMAMAN: After losing his belongings in the massive floods of 2013, a senior citizen in Kampung Teladas near Air Putih here is determined to never go through that bitter experience again.

       So, he’s planned ahead and built rafts.

       Tarmizi Jaafar, 60, said the three rafts were built for different purposes, including to accommodate electrical goods and were easy to navigate.

       “The use of rafts are more practical in the village as the water current is not too strong.

       “The rafts are made from bamboo as it does not damage easily compared with fibreglass boats, which are more expensive to build.

       “It is good enough to evacuate my family during floods,” he said when met by Bernama here on Friday.

       At present, Tarmizi is the only resident who still uses bamboo rafts in the village, as many other residents own fibreglass boats that cost over RM1,000 (without engine) and over RM6,000 (with engine).

       According to Tarmizi, the cost of making a raft using large water barrels for buoyancy, to place electrical items such as television, refrigerator and water filter, was only RM500.

       “It’s easy to maintain because it doesn’t need to be repaired like a boat, and after the flood is over, it can easily be stored.

       “Even children are keen to learn how to build rafts,” he said.

       Kampung Teladas is one of the most flood-prone villages near the banks of the Kemaman River.