Shahrizat ticked off for playing politics as thousands flee floods

Shahrizat - accused of playing politics

ALOR SETAR - As massive floods created havoc across Kedah causing some 50,000 people to flee their homes, PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar today slammed Women, Family and Community Development minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for turning the issue into one of politics.

Mahfuz expressed regret over a statement by Shahrizat blaming the PAS-led state government for being "slow" in coming to the aid of victims.

“I deeply regret Shahrizat’s statement when she accused the state government of not do anything and being slow – this is ridiculous.

"Here are state government agencies working very hard to help flood victims, and Shahrizat comes here to score political points,” Mahfuz told Harakahdaily.

The Wanita UMNO chief was earlier reported as saying that the state government should provide more vehicles to distribute aids to flood victims.

Mahfuz however said Shahrizat should stop blaming the state government, which does not possess many heavy vehicles.

"She as the minister should help coordinate the welfare department, which falls under her jurisdiction, with the military and others to borrow heavy vehicles such 4WDs, trucks, large boats and others to reach the affected areas,” he added.

Mahfuz, who is also the Pokok Sena member of parliament, said in contrast, Shahrizat's cabinet colleague, minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz, had despatched boats to reach relief centres in Pokok Sena when requested.

No water and power

On the situation at flood relief centres, Mahfuz described the condition as congested, accomodating two to three thousand people in each place without water supply or electricity.

“This is also the result of poor coordination by the Welfare department under Shahrizat because if any area was to be gazetted to serve as a relief centre, it must get the approval of the Welfare department," he said, adding that the Welfare department must be more creative and innovative by identifying other less familiar areas to be turned into relief centres.

Mahfuz also said the number of evacuees continued to rise, with flood water overflowing into the Alor Setar city, while flood condition in the villages were far from over.

Latest reports say there are 21,111 evacuees in Kubang Pasu, 15,736 in Kota Setar and 241 in Pendang. There are still 657 people at the Padang Terap flood relief centre compared to 2,279 last night, and 1,767 in Pokok Sena from 1,868 last night. - Harakahdaily