KUALA LUMPUR – The question of who is heading the Selangor National Security Council (NSC) is not important now, as flood recovery efforts and assisting victims are the priority, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said this issue should not be played up, as there are plenty of flood victims who are still in need of help.
“It’s okay, I want to solve this (flood) problem, then we can discuss who wants to be the (Selangor NSC) chairman. That is not a problem for me,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
Amirudin was speaking to reporters today after surveying post-flood clean-up operations by KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam.
Yesterday, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar attempted to school Amirudin on government duties.
In a press conference, Noh said there are two councils under NSC – one deals with security and public safety, which Noh himself is in charge of.
“The other council is tasked with disaster management, and chaired by the state secretary.
“I am still the Selangor NSC chairman. Amirudin merely took over the duties of the state secretary.
“Even so, the MB does not understand. That’s why flood management at the state level was chaotic. So, I will say this to the Selangor MB – don’t blame others, and don’t blame me.”
Two days ago, Amirudin was reappointed as state NSC chairman after the recent floods swept through the state.
“This morning, the prime minister chaired a special national security meeting and said the federal NSC will manage the disaster. I’ve been contacted by (the federal) NSC to chair Selangor NSC to coordinate this effort.
“In November, the NSC chairman position was surrendered to a federal-level minister. So, (when the floods happened on December 18) I could not call and mobilise the army and police on that date.”
Amirudin said if he were still heading the state’s security council, he would have contacted the army to mobilise the necessary assets for search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.
He said everyone now should focus their efforts on SAR operations, as well as post-flood recovery efforts to pull the state back up on its feet. – The Vibes, December 23, 2021
