[UPDATED] Pakatan calls for RCI, special Dewan sitting post-fatal floods

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan is demanding the government to fix a date for a special parliamentary sitting to discuss the recent floods that hit major parts of the country, killing dozens.

In a statement today, the opposition coalition’s presidential council said the sitting is necessary to get Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his cabinet to provide the public a full explanation on the disaster.

This is after the floods brought to the fore the reality of how climate change and human activities like rampant logging and unsustainable developments have negatively impacted the rakyat, it said.

On a similar note, the council wants the administration to advise Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to set up a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the flooding.

It said this is in line with His Majesty’s decree for a post-mortem on the major floods, as well as the ones in Sabah and Sarawak, to be held.

“This is to identify all planning weaknesses and to address implementation delays, including the shortcomings revealed in the Auditor-General’s Report pertaining to the six retention ponds that were given approval for development.” 

This is in reference to Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh’s revelation on Wednesday that, according to the 2019 AG report, the retention ponds were earmarked for flood prevention in Kuala Lumpur, but were dropped for development.

She has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter.

The PH presidential council said the aftermath of the major flood last week was heart-wrenching and eye-opening.

It also noted how Malaysians on social media have been very critical of the cabinet’s response to the disaster, which can be described as “extremely slow”.

“Their response is seen as just ‘for show’ (berwayang) without truly helping the flood victims, including in Tenom, Sabah in May and Penampang in September.”

Meanwhile, the council expressed its gratitude to all personnel, volunteers, and donors who have assisted flood victims, but warned that their energy and spirit may be required once more should the “second wave” of floods hit the east coast. – The Vibes, December 31, 2021