NGOs and other bodies who wished to aid in post-flood relief and clean-up work are very welcome to do so but need to file paperwork so that work is coordinated, said Segamat District Disaster Management Committee.
"Post-flood relief and clean-up work are in full swing by various government agencies, NGOs and bodies. Those who wish to assist flood victims in Segamat district are welcomed.
"For the purpose of coordination, safety and well-being of all parties, it is required that any government agencies, individuals, NGOs, and agencies, in addition to the government, wishing to help, need to make an application through the post-flood implementation application form at the Center Segamat Flood Operation Control," said the committee in a statement.
It added that every application needs to be approved by its chairperson.
The committee also announced that as of 8pm yesterday, there were 28 active temporary evacuation centres while 40 temporary evacuation centres have been closed.
The statement came after six Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) flood relief volunteers in Segamat were questioned by police over an alleged breach of the procedure while delivering assistance inside a government temporary shelter.
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said five volunteers were summoned to the Segamat district police station on Friday, while another was questioned on Saturday afternoon.
"The reason they were questioned was that they had delivered assistance directly to individuals who requested help at relief centres and some homes.
"They did not deliver the assistance to the designated locations. On behalf of Muda's leadership, I would like to apologise because our intention was not to cause any difficulties," said the Muar MP in a Facebook live session from Segamat where he had been on the ground assisting Muda's relief efforts.
"Those who requested help are flood victims in homes and relief centres who may be left out of (other) assistance.
"Even today we can read media reports there are many who did not receive the promised help, some who were left in hunger, and so Muda volunteers upon receiving any such requests would directly deliver assistance," said Syed Saddiq.
While admitting Muda's mistake in bypassing local authorities, he urged police to grant their volunteers some flexibility to carry out their service.
Johor Muda chief Mohd Azrol Ab Rahani, one of the volunteers questioned, said their team had on Jan 5 responded to requests from flood victims at a school in Segamat.
He said they were given permission to deliver 200 pillows, 200 mattresses and food packets, based on requests.
"We were accused of breaching SOP because we did not get permission from the Segamat district officer.
"After we left, the next day we were told several police reports were lodged against us," said Azrol.
He added that police had treated them well throughout the questioning session but they were not informed of any further actions.
Segamat was the earliest district in Johor to be affected by floods this year, recording the highest amount of rainfall in the entire state based on readings recorded by 23 rainfall stations for the period of Dec 26 last year until Jan 1. - Mkini
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