Zahid pledges to assist flood hit farmers in Bagan Datoh

BAGAN DATOH: Cash crop farmers around Bagan Datoh who were affected by floods from the king tide phenomenon recently would be assisted, pledged Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix).
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datoh Member of Parliament, said the government would be holding discussions with the Agriculture Department to look into ways to assist the farmers.
"I have discussed with the district officer (Datuk Hamzah Hussin) and the state assemblyman to do their best as the floods cause their crops to perish and the income of farmers was affected," he said.
Ahmad Zahid was speaking to reporters after visiting flood victims in Kampung Simpang Tiga, Rungkup, here today.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, 215 houses in Bagan Datoh were damaged by floods in the past two days due to heavy rain and the high tide phenomenon.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Cabinet Committee on National Disaster chairman, said the area was undulating which resulted in flood water being locked inland.
Apart from that, he also wanted calverts to be enlarged to facilitate drainage of water and prevent flood.
"If the calvert is small, rubbish could block water from flowing out and cause floods...we are calling for the cooperation of villagers to be more civic-minded to help solve the problem as well," he said.
In a related development, Ahmad Zahid said several development projects, especially flood mitigation programmes would be carried out in Bagan Datoh in line with its status as a new district in Perak.
In July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak announced Bagan Datoh as the 12th district of Perak as it was earlier placed under the administration of Hilir Perak. — Bernama