JOHOR BARU: Ayer Hitam is ready to face any impending floods following the Meteorological Department’s (MetMalaysia) forecast of continuous rain in several states including Johor.

       Transport Minister and Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said he had arranged for about 10,000kg of rice and other essential items to be stocked-up at his service centre’s food warehouse in Yong Peng.

       "The possibility of a second wave of floods was a hot topic among locals when I visited Ayer Hitam town to distribute next year’s calendars to the people as it was cloudy with a likelihood of rain in the evening.

       "Ayer Hitam is no stranger to floods as we experienced three major floods since 2006.

       "The incidents are still fresh in my memory as they took place while I was the Ayer Hitam MP," he said after a walkabout at Ayer Hitam town on Thursday (Dec 30).

       Dr Wee, who was also MCA president, said the locals were well-informed about the weather forecast and were getting ready for it.

       He also met with the Ayer Hitam Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) head Wong Boon Hang and the team’s adviser Lau Kim Huat who had just completed the flood relief mission in Selangor and Pahang.

       "They have returned to Ayer Hitam to make preparations to face any possibilities of heavy rain and floods," he added.

       It was reported that MetMalaysia issued a yellow alert of continuous rain forecast for Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor following the current monsoon surge which is expected to continue until Jan 2 next year.