Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad said he had received reports that rain would continue for the next one to two days. “I advise those affected to think of the safety of their families. I know they would want to protect their valuables and property but what is most important is their safety and lives,” he said after visiting relief centres in Skudai.

He had been asked about the unwillingness of some residents to evacuate and who only sought help when the situation got worse or even turned dangerous.

Intermittent heavy rain since early Friday morning has caused flooding in four districts in Johor, and affected 1,000 people from 274 families.

State executive councillor R Vidyananthan said Kulai was the latest district to be hit by floods, after Johor Bahru, Kluang and Kota Tinggi.

According to Vidyananthan, a total of 690 people from 189 families affected by the floods in Johor Bahru were residents of Kampung Laut Batu 10 Skudai, Kampung Sentosa Barat, Kampung Sentosa Damai, Lorong Aris Batu 8 Skudai as well as residents of Sam Poh old folks home.