Gov't flayed for not declaring flood areas 'disaster zone'

PAS has slammed the federal government for refusing to declare the East Coast flood hit areas as a disaster zone, as doing so will cut red tape and speed up aid and rescue efforts.

"The declaration of a disaster zone (for Kuantan, Pahang and Kemaman in Terengganu) is imperative as it will facilitate the process of saving the lives of the residents and the sending of food, clothing and clean water supplies.

"Primarily because these can be done far more immediately without bureaucratic red tape, and for the flood crisis to be raised to a level of urgency at national level," said PAS president Hadi Awang in a statement today.

He lamented how over the past two days rescue efforts have been slow and inadequate.

Yesterday Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said there is no needto declare an emergency in Kuantan, one of the seriously hit areas in the year-end monsoon floods, despite admitting that the situation was "bad".

Hadi said that at present, there is not enough clean water to go around and warned that this can result in water-borne diseases. He added many victims are going hungry and do not have access to even blankets.

He urged the federal government to use its resources to extend  all forms of help to the flood victims and that PAS has dispatched its members to aid flood victims to their fullest capacity despite insufficient funds and rescue equipment.