The Star 19 Jan 14;
PEKAN: The massive floods in the east coast early last month was due to climate change and should not be blamed on anyone, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the phenomenon was caused by centuries of unchecked development which had severely affected the environment.
“It afflicts every country in the world. In New York, the Arctic storm has caused the temperature to drop to -52°C.
”The cold left 21 people dead and the terrible condition has impacted the economy of the world’s superpower. We cannot blame anyone for this because this is the effects of our development,” Najib said at an aid presentation for flood victims and volunteer appreciation ceremony here yesterday.
He said the unusual rainfall of 777mm in Jabor, Terengganu on Dec 2 was more than double the amount of a month’s rain.
”The only thing we can do is to make careful preparations to reduce the impact of the floods,” said Najib, adding that the Cabinet had received proposals from the Flood Disaster Committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to improve the flood management standard operating procedure to be more efficient.
He said among the upgrades suggested was for the Meteorological Department and the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) to utilise the latest technology in improving its early warning systems.
”We have also asked JPS to prepare flood mitigation plans. However, the cost is very high and the Government has to consider the affordability first before making any decisions,” he said.
Najib said the flood mitigation measures put forward by Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said costs RM480mil while the plan to insulate the entire Sungai Isap in Kuantan would come up to RM700mil.
Besides that, the Government had to purchase boats, heavier trucks and other assets, he said.
On the flood assistance programme, Najib said up to 1,504 affected families in Pekan would receive RM750 in cash aid, a mattress, pillows, a kitchen stove, refrigerator, television set and rice cooker each.
Govt to boost anti-flood measures
New Straits Times 19 Jan 14;
PEKAN: Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns have prompted the government to further improve the country's flood warning system and mitigation plans to help reduce the impact of natural disasters in future.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the cabinet had accepted the recommendations made by the Natural Disaster Management Committee which, among others, proposed that the Meteorological Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department use the latest technology for better weather forecasting and public announcements.
At the same time, he said the government would also consider the flood mitigation plans for areas affected by floods, which would involve huge allocations.
"Flood mitigation projects are costly and we need to look at our financial ability before we can approve them," he said at a function to distribute aid to flood victims in Pekan yesterday. He also presented certificates to volunteers.
Najib said the Terengganu state government had requested RM480 million for flood mitigation projects for the state, while Kuantan would require RM700 million to help resolve its flood problems.
He said the government would first procure more assets that could be used during natural disasters, including boats and larger trucks.
"We are also reviewing our standard operating procedures (SOP) to provide a more efficient machinery to assist victims when a natural disaster strikes."
Najib said climate change had also affected developed countries, including the United States, where the temperature in certain areas plummeted to negative 52 degrees Celcius recently due to an Arctic blast.
He said it was not right to blame anyone for the recent floods in the east coast and urged all parties to find ways to reduce the impact of the floods and to assist the victims.
Citing Pekan as an example, Najib, who is also its member of parliament, said the district was often flooded when high volume of water upstream of Sungai Pahang met the high tide.
"But now the floods are caused by heavy downpours, as seen on Dec 2," he said, adding the Kemaman district recorded an extraordinary amount of rainfall on the same day, which was higher than the whole month in previous years.
Najib said Barisan Nasional leaders would find ways to increase aid to flood victims, as the RM500 cash assistance for each family affected by floods was no longer sufficient.
"The BN government will always be with the people through thick and thin. I will ensure victims get more this time around."
A total of 1,504 families received RM750 cash assistance each with RM500 contributed by the Federal Government and RM250 from the state.
Each family also received various items, including a mattress and two pillows from Kelab Putera 1Malaysia, an LED television set from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, a refrigerator from the Pekan Umno division and a rice cooker, which was Najib's personal contribution.
Recipient Fatimah Ismail, 46, said the assistance given by the government proved that its leaders understood the difficulties faced by the people.
"We should be grateful, as our government provides us various types of assistance."
"If we look at other countries, their people were left struggling to rebuild their lives after natural disasters."
