Bernama 10 Dec 13;
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- As the situation in the four flood-hit states passed the critical phase and the evacuees began to return to their homes, a clearer picture emerged as to the scale of the floods.
Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek had some information that shed light on the extent of the natural disaster which struck Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.
He said that on Dec 3 alone, the Jabor area in his parliamentary constituency of Kemaman was pulverised with 777mm of rainfall. In three days, 1,662mm of rainfall was recorded.
Ahmad Shabery spoke to reporters after launching the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Fund for Flood Victims at his ministry, here.
Ministry deputy secretary-general II Datuk Che Azemi Haron and representatives of agencies under the ministry were present. Bernama was represented by its general manager, Datuk Yong Soo Heong.
Ahmad Shabery said the floods were the worst in 100 years because many areas usually free of the natural calamity were flooded.
He said it was normal for aid to be delivered to the flood-prone areas, but this time many other places were submerged and the authorities were faced with the gargantuan challenge of evacuating 22,000 people from their homes in boats in a matter of just 30 hours.
The natural disaster exposed the need for much improvement in flood relief efforts, such as an early warning system, and better facilities at the relief centres, such as the provision of sleeping bags which can serve as mattresses as well as blankets, he said.
The minister said now the time had come to consider post-flood measures, including the process of cleaning up the houses and assessing the damage and loss suffered by every family.
He also condemned users of social media websites such as Facebook who had drawn comparisons between Malaysian and overseas relief centres.
Citing the example of the tsunami which hit Japan in 2011, he said the victims stayed at evacuation centres for as long as two or three months and it was necessary to provide them with tents.
On the other hand, flood victims in Malaysia stayed at relief centres only for about a week, he said.
"I feel that in the first week of the tsunami, the situation was also chaotic in the sense that lives had to be saved. The pictures also did not show that the tents were only erected several days after the evacuees had been moved there," he said.
On the humanitarian fund, Ahmad Shabery said money would be collected up to next month and the ministry would discuss with the local authorities of the four states on the type of aid to be channelled to them.
People who wish to send donations can type 'banjir' (amount of donation) and send to 13999. They can donate between RM1 and RM20.
Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Shabery said that to progress towards a developed nation, the people would have to change their attitude from being receivers to becoming donors, especially during a disaster.
"For example, during the recent floods, the evacuees at the relief centres could give a hand to the volunteers," he said.
At the event, Ahmad Shabery had a pleasant surprise when staff of the ministry brought out "pulut kuning" (yellow glutinous rice) and wished him a happy 55th birthday.
-- BERNAMA
