Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Asia Wire Report
Video Credit: AsiaWire/@rengamstreet.bojod
These images show the Malaysian authorities rescuing stranded animals during flash floods which have led to the evacuation of over 9,000 people in one state.
Since continuous rainfall and flash floods started last week, over 9,000 people in the south-western Malaysian state of Johor have reportedly been evacuated.
The most affected areas are Mersing, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Segamat, Pontian, Batu Pahat, Kulai, Muar and Johor Baru, according to reports.
While the authorities rally to help the many flood victims, they have also been taking the time to help stranded animals at risk of drowning.
Reports said that Simpang Renggam District Council (MDSR) civil servant Azmi Matar rescued a stranded dog at a palm oil plantation in Renggam.
In the footage, posted on Facebook by netizen ‘Bojod Azmi’ where it has been viewed 665,000 times, the 34-year-old civil servant is seen wading into the deep water to rescue a dog chained to a submerged kennel.
Matar, who is also a bodybuilder, said: “I did not think about anything other than saving the dog as the water level was rising. I felt sorry for the animal as it was making sad noises.”
He added that the dog was standing on a slab of wood and would have probably drowned if it was not there.
Meanwhile, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) also saved a dog in Kota Tinggi and they shared a photo on Facebook while commending Constable Jeery Juhari for his efforts.
A photo of a firefighter rescuing two cats using a large blue food cover was also widely shared on social networks.
The snap was posted on Facebook by the Johor Fire and Rescue Department who described it as “the photo of the day”.
Reports said that 10 firefighters spent over an hour rescuing four stranded buffaloes in Segamat.
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