[VIDEO] Wan Azizah-led non-profit donates solar generators to flood victims

SHAH ALAM – Yayasan Aman and Jingga13 Malaysia donated seven solar power generators to the residents of the Taman Sri Lembayung flats in Section 25 on Thursday, following the recent floods.

The residents were living without electricity for five days following the floods.

Yayasan Aman’s chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail spent approximately an hour listening to the residents’ grievances in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The Taman Sri Lembayung flats surau chairman, who wishes to be known as Ustaz Zulkifli, expressed his gratitude for the generators as they would help alleviate the residents’ current burdens.

“This donation is highly appreciated, as we will be able to use it in the event of another disaster, with no need to get to the (Sri Muda) toll plaza to charge our mobile phones as before.

“Besides, it is safer – it does not require fuel. In times of disaster, it is not practical to look for fuel, especially during nightfall,” he said.

The solar power generators, he said, will be stored at the An-Nur surau, which can be easily accessed by residents during an emergency.

Zulkifli also took the opportunity to express appreciation and gratitude to the rakyat for their acts of kindness over the past two days.

“We have been receiving endless supplies of food. Sadly, assistance has yet to come from the authorities,” he lamented.

In addition to the solar power generators donated, 350 food hampers were also distributed among residents.

Meanwhile, Yayasan Aman programme coordinator Mikhael Iskhandaar said the organisation also came up with a “relief plan” for the residents to organise themselves should a similar disaster happen in the near future.

“The residents accepted the idea positively and set up an action committee,” he said.

According to the residents, no medical personnel or volunteers have reached out to them since the floods.

Selangor Jingga13 volunteer bureau chief Abdul Rahman Mageswaran Pragas urged the authorities to build cabins around housing zones where they can store safety equipment such as life jackets, inflatable boats, and portable solar panels.

He also recommended that the government identify suitable relocation areas for residents should disaster strike again.

“From this tragedy, I hope the government will look seriously into alternatives such as allocating an emergency point on higher ground for the people, or perhaps providing sirens and speakers to warn of impending disaster so that victims can seek shelter on higher ground,” he said.

Last week’s floods were among the country’s worst disasters, so far claiming 37 lives, while another 10 remain missing. – The Vibes, December 25, 2021