[UPDATED] PM points finger at S’gor govt over slow flood response

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob appears to have pinned the blame on the Selangor government for the slow response by the authorities during the devastating floods that hit the state last month.

In the Dewan Rakyat today, the Bera MP said the Meteorological Department had issued six significant weather warnings leading up to the December 18 downpour and flooding, but these were ignored.

Ismail Sabri said the warnings were not taken seriously by “certain quarters” involved in the disaster management, assuming that only states in the east coast will be badly affected.

“Following the extraordinary floods, the situation was chaotic on the first day. The flood management in Selangor meant rescue teams had faced difficulties to carry out their operations due to the complexity of urban flooding,” he said during today’s special sitting.

“In fact, Selangor’s flood management showed no drastic improvement on the second and third day, to the point there was dissatisfaction among the victims due to delayed rescue operations and food distribution.”

Ismail Sabri said the slow response of the state and district disaster management committees had forced him to take several measures, including chairing a number of meetings to obtain updates and discuss measures.

“I should not be the one chairing the flood meeting in Selangor. It’s not supposed to be me.”

In an apparent jab at the Selangor state govt, PM @IsmailSabri60 said warnings from ⁦@metmalaysia⁩ were not taken seriously by “certain quarters” involved in disaster management.@AmirudinShari pic.twitter.com/XnUOn6n5x7

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) January 20, 2022

He said the delayed response was despite engagement sessions between the Prime Minister’s Department and the respective state secretaries, to press for preparation on all levels ahead of the anticipated north east monsoon. 

“This is the role of the federal government to remind states to be ready for any eventualities.”

He added that the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) also provided training and simulations on disaster management involving state agencies, district offices and NGOs. 

Ismail Sabri said following the MetMalaysia’s announcement of the monsoon season beginning November 3 to March 2022, states have been directed to activate their respective control centres. 

However, he acknowledged that the volume of rain and the extent of the flooding had taken many by surprise. 

Stubborn victims slowed down rescue efforts

Later in his speech, Ismail Sabri was lambasted by the opposition MPs after he appeared to blame the flood victims for slowing down rescue efforts. 

“Starting the evening of December 18, our rescue agencies have actually begun mobilising their teams to evacuate victims, but they face difficulties as the day was turning dark, and with many refusing to leave their houses at the time. 

“Many victims gave the excuse that they wanted to save their properties, the temporary relief centres (PPS) are too far, worried that their house will be broken into, as well as concerns of Covid-19 infections at the crowded centres. 

“Following this, the flood water level rose sharply, and many people were trapped and needed immediate help.”

He said rescue efforts were further hampered by the vehicles that were trapped along the main road, blocking rescuers from entering residential areas. 

Additionally, he said a lot of the addresses given by victims crying for help could not be identified as their houses have been inundated, while rescuers from outside Selangor who were mobilised were not familiar with the affected area and required a guide. 

“Apart from that, schools and facilities that have been gazetted as PPS were inundated. As such, ad hoc PPS had to be set up, such as using suraus, mosques and temporary tents to house the flood victims.” 

According to Ismail Sabri, since the start of the flooding, a total of 38,113 families involving 136,030 victims, have been evacuated. – The Vibes, January 20, 2022