MCA president visits flood-affected areas, says this is above politics

MCA president Liow Tiong Lai together with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak visited flood victims and affected areas in Penang today.

Liow, who is also transport minister, met with residents who have been moved to shelters.

“I have come here together with my MCA team to extend whatever help I can in this time of crisis. This is not about politics but a humanitarian effort,” he said.

“This is not about MCA or DAP but the lives of people. Such efforts should be above political divisions.

“I want Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to know that he can count on me as a friend during this hour of need,” he told Malaysiakini.

Liow also said that MCA had dispatched some 800 volunteers through its CRSM team to assist.

“MCA had dispatched about 800 volunteers through our CRSM (Crisis Relief Squad of MCA) team to assist the victims at this hour of need,” he added.

This morning, Liow, Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor landed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Butterworth and were greeted by Lim.

Speaking to reporters later, the prime minister said an estimated RM1 billion allocation is needed for long-term flood mitigation projects in Penang.

The state district office, he added, has identified 13 flood mitigation projects to resolve the crisis which hit on Nov 4 and 5, affecting about 80 percent of the island and mainland in Seberang Perai.

"So far we have approved RM150 million for the projects and we will be considering the extra funds needed for this effort," he added.- Mkini