KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he was only in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for 12 hours before he opted to return to Malaysia after viewing the floods’ aftermath.
He told Utusan TV that he became restless over the havoc the floods caused in the country.
“So, I decided to purchase a return ticket after only about 12 hours of being there.
“I had the chance to sit and chat with my children for a while before I left for home at 8am on Thursday, before the prime minister made the order to return,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that he met his children in Dubai even though they were residing in the UK as Faizal wanted to be cautious over the number of Omicron cases in the European country.
“Yes, I applied for leave and when it was approved, I went to Dubai last Wednesday to meet my children.”
He added that he is currently under quarantine here.
In the interview, he apologised and acknowledged weakness in handling the disaster.
“I know I am a civil servant, I am aware that the public’s interests come first. That’s the sacrifice that needs to be made.
I’m sorry, I admit there are many weaknesses. I am a minister and I am not perfect. I understand the suffering because I have also been in difficult situations. No work and so on.”
Faizal said he had held a virtual meeting to mobilise volunteers from his ministry to help the flood victims.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said several cabinet ministers who were on holiday overseas had cancelled their leave and returned home.
Without mentioning the names of the said ministers, he said they are now undergoing self-quarantine.
“Two or three of them are back. They had made plans to travel abroad much earlier prior to the floods and before the directive (on leave cancellation) was issued.
“I don’t want to mention names, but they have returned and I have advised them to self-quarantine first for safety reasons. By Monday or Tuesday, they will be out,” he said when asked by the media about the matter after checking on post-flood relief works in Taman Sri Nanding and Kg Dusun Tua here.
The prime minister also said that he had cancelled his plans to perform umrah, which was scheduled for January 1.
He added that some ministers who are abroad had cancelled their leave but could not return as there were no available flights. – The Vibes, December 27, 2021
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