Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has called on the Sarawak authorities to speed up the process of giving financial aid to flood victims in this state as there are thousands who have suffered total losses in properties and farms as well as severe damage to their vehicles.
State PKR chairman Roland Engan said the authorities must go to the ground in afflicted flood zones to help affected families.
"The authorities must simplify the application process for financial aid for flood victims as they are in urgent need of swift aid. The losses they suffered are devastating, with many homes and vehicles and farms damaged to huge extents.
"The authorities must reach out to these flood victims; not use the normal process of waiting for the flood victims to go apply for aid," he told reporters in Miri today.
Roland said Sarawak PKR teams are distributing food supplies to as many flood victims as possible.
"However, we can only give so much due to our limited financial resources. The state government authorities must speed up their financial aid since they have all the resources," he said.
He noted that huge property losses can be seen in flood-ravaged settlements in rural areas and also residential estates and kampungs in cities and towns, including inside Miri city.
Sarawak had seen two weeks of massive floods following nonstop torrential rain. The state is still in the midst of the ‘Landas’ season, the equivalent of the monsoon.
The landas season refers to the wet monsoon season characterised by heavy rainfall and is essentially the rainy season in the region occurring between October and March. – February 9, 2025
Stay vigilant, says DPM Ahmad Zahid
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the public to remain vigilant despite the improving flood situation in Sabah and Sarawak, which has been ongoing for two weeks.
In a Facebook post today, he reminded citizens of the potential for heavy rainfall brought by the ongoing Northeast Monsoon, which is expected to persist until March.
He also expressed satisfaction with the overall disaster management efforts in East Malaysia thus far, extending his gratitude to all parties who have provided assistance to ease the burden of flood victims.
“I hope NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) will continue coordinating post-flood recovery and repair efforts with various government agencies to speed up the restoration process, especially in areas where infrastructure has been affected,” he said.
“This is essential to ensure that flood-related damages do not cause long-term safety risks or disruptions for residents,” he added.
Earlier today, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) issued a thunderstorm warning at 11:45 am for several areas in Sarawak, including Betong, Sarikei, Sibu (Sibu and Selangau), Mukah, Bintulu, Miri (Subis, Beluru, Miri and Marudi), and Limbang, with the warning expected to last until 3 pm.
For the latest and verified disaster updates, the public can visit www.portalbencana.nadma.gov.my. - February 9, 2025
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