BALING – Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today openly apologised to all residents affected by the flooding and water surge at Kupang here on July 4.
He said the apology was made on humanitarian grounds and the sense of duty he bore as the head of government given the tragedy that killed three, including a pregnant woman.
Sanusi said the apology was also on behalf of the current and previous state administrations, should there have been any mistakes that indirectly could be said to have caused the tragedy that occurred last week.
“As a person, on compassionate grounds… for the present state government, I apologise to all affected residents.
“No one intended such a tragedy for anyone, but the effects were beyond prediction….it’s no use being stubborn when people have already been hit by a disaster, although to us, we made the best decision we could,” he said during a media conference here today after attending a flood aid presentation at the Baling district office to 17 flood victims who lost their homes in the floods.
The 17 individuals received RM3,000 each to assist rental and utilities for a period of six months.
Sanusi said the apology did not mean that he admitted that all the blame rests on the current state government, but it was made due to his sense of responsibility towards the state’s populace.
“It doesn’t mean I admit to it entirely, no one asked for this to happen, including the tragedy in Gunung Jerai, Yan last year… on behalf of the state government, we apologise because as the government, we should protect our citizens.
“We can’t predict such a thing would happen… I think whoever is wrong, no matter how high your position and standing, we need to be humble and realise our weaknesses. We apologise for being unable to protect the people fully,” he said. – Bernama, July 14, 2022