ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government is looking at putting its volunteerism arm – the 20,000 strong Southern Volunteers – under the state disaster management committee to better prepare itself in facing floods.

       Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said efforts should not only focus on flood preparation but also actions on post-floods as well.

       “I agreed that the Southern Volunteers should be put under the committee as part of our preparations in facing the floods.

       “This will place Southern Volunteers in line with enforcement agencies such as the police, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force as we need every help we can get to carry out humanitarian aid to the public,” Hasni said when met after witnessing 20 companies donating various basic necessities worth more than RM400,000 to Southern Volunteers for flood preparations at the Johor Sukma secretariat office yesterday.

       State deputy secretary On Jabbar, who is Southern Volunteers humanitarian aid chief contingent, said they welcome the announcement by the mentri besar.

       He said the move will help to attract more people, in particular youth, to sign up as members.

       “We received positive response from the public following our humanitarian aid mission to help flood victims in Selangor to clean their houses in Hulu Langat and Shah Alam,” he said.

       On also said the Southern Volunteers are on standby to help the state government in the event of floods.

       He added that they are monitoring the situation closely as Johor is expected to be hit by bad weather within the next few days.

       On thanked the various companies for donating basic necessities to them as they prepare ahead of possible floods.

       “If the weather remains good, we will then channel the items to flood victims in badly hit states such as Selangor and Pahang,” he said.