Thank You, Mr. Azahari Mohammad

On this 6^th day of flood around Matu Bazaar and nearby villages starting with 3 feet on Jan 10 and has subsides to 1 – 2 feet today, I would like to go for some lighter notes of local activities on higher grounds.

Today we had a farewell lunch for Mr. Azahari Mohammad, the Area Manager of FELCRA Bhd, Matu who will be leaving for ‘higher grounds’ in FELCRA Pahang after a 2½ years of productive service in Matu. A very committed manager who will not rest until he sees the best. We first met as strangers on the Igan ferry – a place where strangers become friends!

Azahari, giving his farewell speech

Beside the local heads of department and community leaders, YB Encik Abu Seman b. Jahwie, ADUN N.38 Jemoreng has made his time for the function. Being a local YB from Kpg. Bawang, Matu, his concern for land development in Matu is at his utmost priority. In his speech, he urged the people of Matu to fully understand the government’s policies on land development. He advised the local community leaders to play their role to explain these policies to the people where their cooperation and support is most important. YB Abu Seman also suggested that FELCRA give priority to the local workforce wherever required in their projects.

YB Abu Seman Jahwie stressing a point on land development

A terendak Matu for Azahari from YB Abu Seman

Good luck and enjoy your new office. May your dream Mercedes comes true, soon.

Matu - Water, water, water everywhere

Water level has swell as it was in December 2008. Heavy downpour throughout the nights and days of Jan 10 and 11 has put roads around Matu Bazaar under 2 - 3 feet of water. King tide over the weekend has add some extra inches to the level. Weather is cloudy but no rain today so water level stays there for the time being.

Due to the increasing water level for the past few days, JPA3 personnel have been on 24-hour standby at the Dewan Suarah Matu. Though no evacuation is necessary at the moment, things can't be taken for granted due to the present weather condition. Heavy rains and strong winds may just happen anytime in this coastal District. So at the moment, being on full alert of the situation is the best action.

My latest round around some areas shows that the situation is serious though some locals says it's normal to Matu.

Going around by boat to get a better picture and better pictures of the situation.
Thanks to the boat ride business that will bring you around for a minimal charge.

Matu Bazaar - no more cars or motorcycles. Boats is taking over the road as water sinks the road 3 feet down. Business stood still but shopowners are as calm as the water below.

The only traffic around is boat but it does not need the filling station nearby. It's powered by father-and-daughter.

It's all water around. Though water is inches below this Klinik Kesihatan Matu, the flags still fly high and so are the spirit of the staffs inside as I dropped by to check the situation. Now the 'am-boat-lance' is on standby there!

The Pos Malaysia office is already an island. There's no Poslaju now but maybe a botlaju is available.

Alert gets higher as warning by the authorities of more downpour within the week. A police boat is ready for action in front of the District Office building.

With the patrol unit from IPD Daro as they make their round to Matu to monitor the situation. Their present is very much welcome as lots of vehicle will be on higher grounds along the roadsides at villages affected by the flood. It's our duty to help them ensure our safety, the vehicles and the traffic as well. Thank you, guys.

Matu Waterworld

It’s a wet, wet year end for Matu. Year end showers send some parts of Matu about 3 feet under water around Christmas. But the local knows it’s an annual occurrence, everybody is ready, no panic, no evacuation. Some villages like Kpg. Jemoreng, Kpg. Sekaan, Kpg. Bertong, Kpg. Bawang, Kpg. Sok were not spared from this annual experience at its height in December. It ends as the year ends.

But one week into the new year of 2009, water seems to be coming back. Rain has been on and off since Jan 7 throughout the night, Jan 8 throughout another night till today Jan 10 and rain is still falling. As I made some rounds around town and affected villages for the past two days, it's all the 'waterscape' again though not bad as the year end. Precaution is high among the locals as something worse has happen in the past, 2003 being the last. Hopefully no more.

Year end water at its height. Matu Bazaar at water level which is 3 feet above road level.

Photo by Jabatan Penerangan Matu

Matu Bazaar as of Jan 9. Water is still at 'motorcyclable' level.

The football field behind the MDMD office seems to be suitable for water polo.

A house in Kpg. Jemoreng just above water level.

Water goes up at Kpg. Bertong.

A kampung road at Kpg. Jemoreng.

Government quarters area also under water.

It’s all water around this quarters, too. In December, it’s as high as the red mark on the posts.

On foot’s the best way around.

Business as ususal. JKR Waterworks staff going for repair works at their water pumps.

Cars and motorcycles stood still on higher grounds.

When cars and motorcycle stood still, boat rules.