Flood-hit Orang Asli villagers question ‘missing’ Endau, Mersing reps

When floods hit Kampung Peta in Mersing, Johor, earlier this month, rising waters wreaked havoc on homes, vehicles, and subsistence crops in the village occupied by predominantly Jakun residents.

Since then, disgruntled residents have claimed that the village, which sits along the Endau river, has yet to be visited by its elected representatives.

Both the elected MP and state assemblyperson of the area, namely Islahuddin Abas and Alwiyah Talib, respectively, are from Bersatu.

A resident who only wanted to be known as Osman claimed that the village experienced losses amounting to RM1.2mil involving a total of 60 families, whose properties were affected by the floods this year.

“For two weeks, we were treated like stepchildren (anak tiri) in our state. Kampung Peta, Taman Negara, Endau Rompin, had to rely on NGOs, not the government.

The nature guide said that NGOs assisting flood victims have provided aid in terms of transportation and food, among others.

“But what is very disappointing is that no MPs or state assemblypersons have checked up on us, let alone visit us,” added Osman, quoting the Malay proverb “ibarat jatuh lagi di timpa tangga” (one bad luck after another).

“When they need our votes, we are looked for but when they are appointed, we are forgotten,” added the 39-year-old.

Another resident Rudy, 37, said the floods resulted in the total loss of two homes in the village.

“The floods have also affected our means of communication. The internet is so-so. Kampung Peta does not have a substation,” he said.

The Taman Negara staffer added that there is a substation in the temporarily shut Taman Negara.

Putting food on the table

Elaborating, Osman complained that the floods have disrupted flood victims’ ability to put food on the table.

“Because of the floods, Taman Negara was shut down. This means no tourists are coming to this area. A lot of young people are drawn to this kind of work in the tourism sector but there are no jobs now,” said Osman, adding that for many years, rubber-tapping and work in the tourism sector had been the main sources of income in the area.

Johor was hit by floods on Feb 28, displacing more than 85,000 residents in 10 districts. The disaster was described as one of the worst and was often compared to the state’s floods in 2006.

Earlier this month, state ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who was officiating the first meeting of the Johor state legislative assembly, said the floods were the result of climate change and urged Johoreans to be more environmentally conscious and reduce pollution.

Challenges abound

Both Osman and Rudy noted that the roads leading into the village were impacted badly by the floods.

“Heavy vehicles can’t go on that road. The road is almost gone. Before the floods, that road (entering Kampung Peta) was okay.

“Now there are many trees that have fallen and haven’t been cleared yet, lying across the road. Many of them,” Osman told Malaysiakini.

On March 2, environmental group Klima Action Malaysia (Kamy) tweeted that on top of roads, communication lines had been cut off in villages in the Mersing area - which includes Kampung Peta, Kampung Punan, and Terowoh in Mersing.

Tight budget

Malaysiakini reached out to both elected representatives for comment on the matter.

Endau state assemblyperson Alwiyah Talib said her current position was more of a “check-and-balance” to the BN-led state government in Johor.

“As a state assemblyperson in the opposition, the allocation is limited. The 2023 floods saw not only the Orang Asli of Kampung Peta affected, but there were also four more Orang Asli villages and six traditional villages affected.

“Throughout the flood, all assets and aid are mobilised directly for aid distribution,” she said, citing examples of helicopters owned by the Air Force and Fire and Rescue Department delivering aid to Kampung Peta.

Despite not being able to physically visit the disaster-stricken area, Alwiyah said she had brought up the issue of the damaged roads and connectivity at Kg Peta and other surrounding areas, during the Johor state legislative assembly session.

“Every year, I go to Kampung Peta to meet with the residents.

“We are very aware of this disaster, but we are not giving up and are always dealing with the relevant government departments to provide the necessary assistance,” she said.

According to Alwiyah, post-flood relief efforts had been extended to the victims by various government agencies since the disaster.

Among the assistance rendered include cash assistance of RM1,000 from the federal government to each household head and an additional RM300 from the state government, as well as a discount of up to 40 percent on flood victims’ water utility bills.

'Govt never neglects flood victims'

Meanwhile, Mersing MP Islahuddin Abas explained that he has been attending the ongoing parliamentary sessions.

“Based on my question to the government, all assistance matters for flood victims will be coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) through the district office.

“Indeed, we admit that this is the worst flood - worse than in 2006/2007 but the government has never neglected flood victims. A series of aid was sent throughout the flood,” he said.

When asked if he will go on the ground in Mersing soon, he pointed out the ongoing parliamentary session, which is set to end next week.

“InsyaAllah, I will continue to get information from time to time from the Mersing Jakoa (Department of Orang Asli Development) Office and the Mersing Civil Defence Department Office. Parliament will be over next week and it is still Ramadan.

“InsyaAllah, I will come down to Kampung Peta. I will also raise issues related to the floods in Mersing to the federal government.

“For the record, I am one of the MPs involved in the motions to debate the issue of the Johor floods,” he said. - Mkini