Johor MB's Office defends overseas trip, says floods monitored closely

Johor Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal is keeping a close watch on the flood situation in the state, even though he is overseas, his office said today.

Responding to criticism of Sahruddin's current working visit to Egypt and Jordan as the floods hit the state, the Menteri Besar's Office said the trip had been scheduled long before the floods occurred.

However, the Menteri Besar's Office said prior to the trip, Sahruddin had visited several flood relief centres and even followed the situation on aerial surveillance with the Johor Fire and Rescue Department director Yahaya Madis.

Flood relief operations it said, are being coordinated by the Disaster Management Secretariat at the state and district levels, to ensure that emergency workers are always prepared, and that the menteri besar is kept up to speed on the situation.

"Sahruddin is following the flood situation closely right now, and is monitoring developments from time to time," his office said in a statement.

Yesterday, former Johor menteri besar Khaled Nordin criticised Sahruddin for going on the working trip even though the floods have not yet abated.

The Menteri Besar's Office said the situation was improving, with the number of displaced victims down to 2,669 as of 8am today, compared with 9,151 on Dec 16.

The office said Sahruddin's working visit to Egypt and Jordan, together with the Johor Islamic Council (MAINJ), is part of the state government's commitment to strengthening Islamic education the state through cooperation between the Johor Islamic Studies College (Marsah) and the Al-Azhar University and other universities in Jordan.

Marsah's cooperation with Al-Azhar University, which is based in Cairo, dates back to 1997.

The trip to Jordan will see the signing of memoranda of understanding between the Johor state government and universities in Jordan.