KUALA LUMPUR – The #KitaJagaKita hashtag was first coined during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, but the term could not be more relevant today.
As devastating floods wreaked havoc across the nation and laid bare the weaknesses of the government, Malaysians took it upon themselves to help other victims ride through this trying time.
The past week has revealed the true heroes amongst us – the rakyat.
Good Samaritans such as Abang Viva, the Sikh community, independent non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and food delivery riders are but just a few who had actually responded more swiftly than those in the cosy offices of Putrajaya.
As the floodwaters recede, more members of the public are now beginning to come out in droves to assist with volunteer work – including university students.
In several higher education institutions, The Vibes found some lecturers have cancelled the week’s classes to allow students to take part in flood aid missions.
Other students had taken their own initiative to help those affected.
Universiti Selangor (Unisel) student Nureen Auni Izzati Ishak told The Vibes that over 200 students from its Bestari Jaya campus have volunteered to help flood victims clean up various locations.
Nureen Auni – who is Unisel’s Centre for Community Engagement member, and coordinator of the students’ flood relief efforts – said they are currently collaborating with other NGOs to reach out to victims.
“Many lecturers have cancelled classes for the week. A hundred of us went to SK Rantau Panjang, 40 to Taman Sri Nanding in Hulu Langat, about 40 to SK Jaya Setia, and 40 more are assisting villagers in Kg Bestari Jaya.
“Groups like the Malaysian Youth Council and Global Peace Foundation Malaysia are the ones coordinating with us on where we should be going,” she said.
The 21-year-old education and social sciences undergraduate said she is particularly frustrated at the apparent lack of assistance provided by government agencies in helping victims, when even students are volunteering.
I have never seen them (government officials). We are moving on our own. Any help only came from the NGOs, like catering buses for us to travel to affected areas and giving food to victims.
“A lot of students across the state are helping out here. As a student myself, I would say I am very disappointed that it appears we have been left on our own without help from the government.
“If we have to do everything, then I have to ask, ‘Where is the government? Aren’t you going to help?’” she queried.
‘Many Malaysians feel the same way’
The Vibes on Friday reported that villagers in Kg Bestari Jaya spent four days in darkness waiting for help, and had no choice but to eat expired food as destructive floodwaters swept through the village on December 18.
Assistance only arrived after a group of social media influencers and young executives, acting on information provided by Nureen Auni, drove through muddy roads carrying basic necessities to victims.
Electricity and water supply are back, yet the hard work of cleaning up houses is still ongoing, and it could take years to replace lost and damaged items.
Meanwhile, an International Islamic University Malaysia student – who wishes to remain anonymous – said she and her classmates made the decision to volunteer after seeing how aid has been slow to arrive.
The student said she understands what the residents are going through, as she herself had been a victim of floods in the past, with her family’s place in Terengganu often inundated during the monsoon seasons.
So, I understand how it feels like to have your house filled with muddy water and your belongings damaged.
“Helping victims here is the least I can do. And going by the volunteer work we see everywhere, I believe many Malaysians feel the same way.”
Although the floodwaters continue to subside, the same cannot be said about public outrage towards the government over its handling of the disaster, which has so far taken the lives of 46 individuals.
On social media, anti-government campaigns are still ramping up – with Malaysians urging the public not to channel any donations to the government, but to instead do so through trusted NGOs.
The phrase “Do not donate to the government” is currently trending on Twitter, with over 28,000 tweets as at press time.
Netizens have also called out those in power for merely “showing face”, and “not getting their hands dirty” during their visits to affected areas.
It is understood that the presence of high-profile individuals such as politicians had been causing delays in flood relief efforts due to massive traffic congestion at many locations. – The Vibes, December 26, 2021
