BY BARINA NANI
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The recent floods, which occurred almost all over the state, were indeed a nightmare for its victims.
Admitting that the flood was one of the worst floods ever, Fanizam Ahmad said he had suffered a loss of thousands of ringgit after his watermelons sank due to the floods.
“About 300 of my watermelons, which are almost ripe and can be harvested in three weeks’ time, were destroyed in the blink of an eye due to the recent floods.
“This is the second time my crops have been destroyed due to floods. The first time was in 2015.
“At that time I planted okra that can be harvested within a week. But unfortunately, the floods have destroyed all my crops,” said the 29-year-old when met at the Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan here today.
Fanizam, who owns watermelon plantation in Kampung Endap, Kota Samarahan, said the losses he suffered included the cost of fertilisers, seeds and others.
When asked about the flood relief, Fanizam said he hoped that the government would also provide assistance to farmers.
“I am very grateful to the government for the food and financial assistance that have been received. However, I hope that the government will also consider providing assistance to farmers who have suffered losses due to floods,” he pointed out.
Another flood victim, Juhai Adong, from Kampung Sungai Raya, Simunjan, expressed his sadness as his livestock was swept away by the flood last week.
“I raise chickens and ducks for eggs. During the flood, six of my ducks drifted to the neighbouring rice fields.
“My livestock shed was also destroyed. Apart from chickens and ducks, the catfish that are kept for cooking and the softshell turtles (labi-labi) also escaped from their cages,” said the 62-year-old, adding that this was the first time this had happened to him.
Meanwhile, Jaya Bahrudin Ibrahim, 60, from Kampung Simunjan, Simunjan, said the recent floods were the second to occur in his village where the first was in 2009.
