KUALA LUMPUR – A Terengganu executive councillor sought to pacify growing anger over Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s absence from the country while massive floods hit the east coast states.
According to Malaysiakini, National Unity committee chairman Hanafiah Mat said that Samsuri’s absence due to a trip to New Zealand has not impeded flood management efforts in the state.
He confirmed that the PAS vice-president had been away in the island country but has now returned to Malaysia.
“As the deputy chairman for state disaster management, I am very satisfied with the efforts on the field and at the temporary evacuation centre.
“All the state executive councillors as well as elected lawmakers have played their roles well,” he was quoted as saying by the media portal.
Hanafiah confirmed that Samsuri flew back to the country yesterday.
Similarly, another executive councillor, Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah, also confirmed to news website The Malaysian Insight that Samsuri arrived back in Malaysia yesterday.
Previously, former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Nor Adam accused Samsuri of being in Auckland, New Zealand, for a vacation with his family.
Screenshots of Samsuri’s supposed flight details were even shared online, angering many netizens who questioned his priorities.
Twitter user @lady_bugg11 asked why Samsuri had left the country during the year-end flood season.
“Where is the MB Terengganu?
“It has been months that the Meteorological Department said the year-end floods will be severe, but the MB went on holiday in Australia and New Zealand.
“MB, your state is facing floods,” she said.
Another twitter user, @HermyRahim, also took Samsuri to task for leaving the state while fully knowing that it would face floods during the year-end monsoon season.
“The floods are not something that rarely happens. The MB had been on the ground earlier on, good for him.
“But the worst thing about the MB is that he had gone on the ground earlier on, supposedly knowing that floods were coming but then he went on vacation.
“His boys said (there was) no issue. (I) sympathise with the people of Terengganu,” he said.
As criticisms grew, it was reported early yesterday that Samsuri was scheduled to return to Malaysia last night. – The Vibes December 22, 2022
