As unprecedented floods hit Malaysian states, Prime Minister Najib Razak came in for a tongue-lashing by critics for not being at home to helm a major co-ordinated emergency move to help distraught victims.
"How can you smile and happily play golf with Obama while the people at home are terrified and confused about what will happen to them and their property," Chegubard, an Opposition politician, wrote in a scathing attack on the PM's well-known penchant for overseas trips and rubbing shoulders with the world's powerful and wealthy.
According to media reports, Najib is in Hawaii, U.S. on a personal visit and was invited to play golf with Obama. The news and pictures appear to have been leaked by his aides in a seeming bid to bolster his prestige amid rising fury at his 'weak' leadership.
However, their move may have backfired and Najib is likely to find himself in the doghouse not only with an enraged populace but also with his Umno party-mates, especially former mentor-turned-critic Mahathir Mohamad.
'Full Moon' but what about neglected infrastruture? RM50 mil aid approved
The floods, which a harried Meteorological Department has even blamed on a full moon creating unprecedented natural phenomena, are ravaging five states in the peninsula.
The floods have resulted in the evacuation of more than 90,000 people – a figure which might be the highest in the nation's history.
As residents in flood-hit states fear for their lives, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been criticized for flying off for a personal holiday in the U.S. where he has been pictured playing golf with President Obama
National news agency, Bernama, reports that 90,250 people were evacuated this morning with the highest number in Kelantan at 32,343, followed by Terengganu (28,991), Pahang (24,316), Perak (4,335) and Perlis (265).
The Finance Ministry has approved an immediate allocation of RM50 million for flood-hit states, said Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Husni Hanadzlah, reports Bernama today.
Worst ever floods in history
In Kelantan, 5,190 people were moved out of their homes overnight to add to the 27,153 already evacuated as of last night, according to the state government flood portal.
The latest evacuees were from the Tanah Merah and Kota Baru districts. Kota Baru has come to a standstill after Sungai Kelantan burst its banks there yesterday.
Seven of the eight other districts in the state – Gua Musang, Jeli, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Tumpat – are also affected by floods.
Kelantan has closed 37 roads as of today.
In Terengganu, Kemaman is the worst affected district with 19,400 evacuees.
In Pahang, Kuantan district had the highest number of evacuees at 14,350.
Meanwhile, plans to evacuate local and foreign tourists from the flood relief centre in Kuala Tahan today had to be shelved because of adverse weather conditions.
Bernama quoted Jerantut district officer Ali Syahbana Shahabuddin as saying rain and fog forced the authorities to postpone the evacuation operation to tomorrow.
The 102 tourists at the flood relief centre at SM Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah had earlier been evacuated from the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort.
"Three helicopters from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the Fire and Rescue Department and a private one had been ready to evacuate the tourists," Ali Syahban said.
The 102 tourists had been stranded at the Mutiara Taman Negara Resorts after heavy rains caused the water levels of Sungai Tembeling to rise.
In Perak, 4,335 people were evacuated in the Kuala Kangsar, Hulu Perak and Perak Tengah districts. - Malaysia Chronicle
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