Better flood response from S’gor if MB chaired state NSC: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – The initial sluggish response to the recent flooding in Selangor could have been avoided had the menteri besar been appointed to chair the state National Security Council (NSC) from the get go. 

This was the assessment made by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) in responding to accusations by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that Selangor was slow to react to the disaster. 

Debating the crisis in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said one of the structural weaknesses that needs immediate attention is the chairmanship of the state NSC, which he argued should be given to the respective state leaders. 

This is contrary to what was done in Selangor, when Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister and Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar was appointed to the post last November. 

“Why was someone who has nothing to do with the state government machinery be appointed as the chairman? This must be corrected,” he said during the parliamentary special sitting today. 

“It’s okay if the person is from the opposition, because any order on disaster management will still come from the federal NSC and the prime minister. The state cannot go against it. 

“I don’t think there is any problem if the menteri besar or chief ministers be automatically appointed as state NSC chief.”

Anwar said the lack of coordination from Noh during the initial phase of the flood was clear for all to see, and said this was what forced Ismail Sabri to reappoint Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to head the state council. 

“But the early structure of the NSC was what led to the problems (in Selangor). I hope this issue can be addressed so that there won’t be any more finger-pointing during a national crisis.”

On December 21, three days after major floods hit Selangor and other states, Amirudin had announced that he had been appointed back to chair the state NSC, after the government was lambasted for its delayed response to the disaster. 

Noh later clarified that he was still the NSC chair for Selangor, and that Amirudin merely took over the duties of the state secretary, who oversees disaster management. 

Earlier today, Ismail Sabri had pinned the blame on Selangor for the slow response by the authorities, saying the state had, among other things, ignored weather warnings issued by the Meteorological Department. 

Moratorium on logging activity

On a separate issue, Anwar once again urged the federal government to issue a moratorium on all logging activities in the country, including those that have been approved, seeing its impact on the environment. 

He said the moratorium should be in force until the government can identify locations that are truly safe for logging.  

Additionally, he said no new licence or approval should be given for logging, regardless of whoever is behind the project, be it in terms of position, power, or political alignment. 

In the same regard, the PKR president reiterated his call for the government to force logging companies to pay compensation to flood victims that have been affected due to the uncontrolled clearing of the forests. 

“Each year, it is said that these companies make RM18 billion through export. They must compensate the victims. 

“They will say they have paid taxes. But these taxes are not paid for the damages caused to the houses because of the flood. And I’m talking on behalf of the villagers. 

“What we want is a firm action by the government to force logging companies to pay the victims. It doesn’t matter where, I want to see the courage of the Malay leaders to take action.” – The Vibes, January 20, 2022