The torrential rains around the country, particularly the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, has been a bane to many Malaysians.
Kelantan, Terengganu, Padang, and eastern Johor face the South China Sea and its strong currents and winds, along with monsoon rains that is expected to end in February.
With more than 21,000 people sheltering in relief centres, closed roads and highways, and four flood-related deaths – help is very much needed on the ground.
Johor itself reported more than 1,000 families housed at shelters this week. While help came in from many parts around the country, one particular assistance should be highlighted and be made an example out of.
DYAM Mejar Jeneral Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Crown Prince of Johor or Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) has personally led the assistance effort to the flood victims in Johor, along with the Johor Military Force (JMF) – one of the first to have responded to the ongoing disaster.
JMF, established in 1886 and active in service since then, has always served Johoreans in their time of need – including now.
Right at the start of the new year, TMJ and the Sultan of Johor himself, managed to visit flood relief centres located around the state such as Masai on 3rd January, Kulai on 4th January, and Kota Tinggi on 6th January, offering the much-needed help to the people of Johor.
History have shown us that the royal Johor family has always stepped in for the people when they need help, and today we see the Crown Prince himself leading the effort for Johor.
Although the monsoon season is a yearly event, the devastating effects are very much felt by the families affected, whether through physical or mental means – compounded by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of jobs, support from the royal family of Johor for Johoreans means a lot.
TMJ along with JMF personnel and officers managed to hand out boxes containing essential goods to the victims stationed at temporary shelters around Johor nearly every day since the floods started. Along with the provisions by the Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor, or the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation (founded by the Johor royal palace), this will surely assist Johoreans in adjusting their livelihoods in light of the natural disaster.
The essential goods delivered will not only help the victims to go through their day-to-day in the temporary shelters, but ease the supply strains on the state government as well. This joint effort between the state government and the Johor palace will surely help Johoreans to get back up on their feet at the soonest.
Despite the rise of COVID-19 cases in Johor (having reached up to 500+ in a day recently), TMJ demonstrated the necessary drive a leader has in delivering aid directly to affected families, in line with the Johor royal family’s legacy and reputation when it comes to caring for the people and leading charity efforts in the state.
His Royal Highness’ presence on the ground also ensured consistency in terms of aid delivery operations, while lifting up the people’s spirits in troubled times such as this. These days where many youth leaders are just hunting for popularity, it is rare to see one who goes down to the ground to ensure the wellbeing of his people.
A young leader from a royal family visiting the flood victims goes to show that at the end of the day, we still have leaders we can hope on for our nation. Despite the challenges, Johor can be proud of its strong tradition of royal family members reaching out to the people in tougher times.
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TMJ Mengotakan Janji
Hujan lebat yang melanda seluruh negara terutama di pantai timur Semenanjung telah menjadi bencana kepada rakyat. Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, dan Timur Johor menghadapi arus deras dan angin kencang Laut China Selatan membawa bersama Hujan Monsoon yang dijangka berterusan hingga hujung Februari 2021.
Dengan lebih dari 21,000 mangsa ditempatkan di pusat pemindahan banjir, jalan raya dan lebuh raya ditutup dengan empat kematian, segala bantuan yang amat diperlukan. Johor sendiri melaporkan lebih dari 1,000 keluarga yang telah dipindahkan ke pusat pemindahan minggu ini.
Dikala bantuan tiba dari seluruh pelusuk negara, satu bantuan harus diberikan perhatian dan dijadikan contoh. DYAM Mejar Jeneral Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) sendiri telah mengetuai usaha bantuan kepada mangsa banjir di Johor, bersama-sama dengan Johor Military Force (JMF), di antara yang terawal untuk memberikan tindak balas kepada bencana ini.
JMF yang ditubuhkan pada 1886 dan aktif sehingga kini, sentiasa berkhidmat untuk Bangsa Johor dikala diperlukan – termasuk sekarang. Bermula dari awal tahun baru, DYAM Tunku Mahkota Johor dan DYMM Sultan Johor, berjaya melawat pusat pemindahan banjir yang terletak di beberapa daerah seperti di Masai pada 3 Januari, Kulai, 4 Januari dan Kota Tinggi pada 6 Januari untuk memberikan bantuan yang diperlukan oleh rakyat negeri Johor.
Sejarah telah membuktikan bahawa Keluarga DiRaja Johor sentiasa ‘turun padang’ membantu rakyat apabila mereka memerlukan bantuan dan hari ini TMJ sendiri mengetuai usaha bantuan ini di Johor.
Walaupun musim monsoon adalah perkara tahunan, kesan bencana yang hebat ini sangat dirasai oleh keluarga yang terlibat sama ada secara fizikal mahupun mental – ditambah pula dengan kesan ekonomi ekoran pandemik COVID-19 akibat kehilangan kerja, sokongan yang diberikan Keluarga DiRaja Johor sangat bermakna.
TMJ bersama-sama anggota dan pegawai JMF telah berjaya mengagihkan kotak mengandungi barangan keperluan kepada mangsa banjir di seluruh pusat pemindahan sementara hampir setiap hari sejak bencana bermula. Beserta dengan kurniaan dari Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor, (ditubuhkan oleh Istana Johor), ianya pasti menbantu mangsa menyesuaikan diri dikala bencana alam ini berlaku.
Barangan keperluan yang dihantar ini bukan sahaja membantu mangsa untuk menjalani kehidupan seharian di pusat pemindahan sementara, tetapi ia juga membantu menambah keperluan selain bantuan yang diberikan oleh kerajaan negeri. Usaha bersama kerajaan negeri dan Istana Johor pastinya membantu rakyat Johor untuk bangkit kembali secepat mungkin.
Meskipun kes COVID-19 di Johor meningkat mendadak (melebihi 500++ kes sehari), TMJ menunjukkan apa yang perlu dilakukan oleh seorang pemimpin dalam menghantar bantuan kepada keluarga yang terlibat. Ianya sejajar dengan legasi dan reputasi Keluarga DiRaja Johor dalam mengambil berat kepada rakyat dan mengetuai usaha kebajikan dalam negeri.
Kehadiran DYAM Tunku Mahkota Johor di kawasan bencana juga memastikan konsistensi dalam operasi pemberian bantuan selain dapat menaikkan semangat rakyat di masa yang sukar ini. Di kala ramai pemimpin muda yang hanya mengejar populariti, ianya satu perkara asing untuk melihat mereka turun padang memberikan bantuan dan memastikan kesejahteraan rakyat.
Seorang pemimpin muda dari Keluarga DiRaja melawat mangsa banjir menunjukkan bahawa negara kita masih mempunyai pemimpin yang kita boleh harapkan di masa hadapan. Walaupun berdepan cabaran, Johor boleh berbangga kerana mempunyai tradisi kukuh Keluarga DiRaja yang sentiasa menyantuni rakyat dikala waktu yang sukar.
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