Johor gov't provides assistance to victims of bus accident

The Johor government will offer assistance to all victims involved in the bus tragedy at Km137.3 of the North South Expressway near Pagoh, here yesterday morning.

State Islamic Religious Committee chairman Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim said the help would be in the form of providing accommodation and comfort to the victims and their next-of-kin while being treated at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital here.

"For the initial stage, the state government will provide assistance in the form of accommodation and comfort for the families including those from Singapore.

"As for the Muslims, transportation for the remains of the deceased will be handled fully by the relevant department (Johor Islamic Religious Department) and this order has been issued by the relevant body," he told reporters after checking the operation at the hospital's mortuary here Saturday.

Also present were State Youth, Sports, Cultural and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Ismail Mohamed.

Representing Johor government, Abd Mutalip said the state government was now willing to cooperate with the Singapore government in rendering assistance to the victims from the republic who were injured and killed.

He also conveyed his condolences to the families of victims who died in the tragedy and hoped that they would remain strong.

"Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in his message, said the state government would provide assistance regardless who they are.

"There are also volunteers (stationed) at the hospital who will help," he said. -- Bernama