Mujahid: Don’t use God’s name for political mileage

Amanah MP urges Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to apologise for saying the Penang floods are a sign from God that it is time for BN to take over Penang.

PETALING JAYA: Amanah MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa has warned Barisan Nasional politicians not to use God’s name to gain political mileage from the flood disaster in Penang.

Mujahid was commenting on remarks by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today in which the deputy prime minister had said that last weekend’s flood in Penang was a sign from God for Gerakan to retake the state from Pakatan Harapan.

“Playing with God’s name is bad for a Muslim and Zahid should apologise for his statement.

“This should not be the time to use the floods for one’s political gain,” he told FMT, while distributing mattresses to flood victims in Tasek Gelugor, Penang.

Speaking at the 46th annual delegates’ conference at the Gerakan headquarters in Cheras here today, Zahid had said: “What happened there (floods in Penang) was a sign from God that this is the best time for us to retake the Penang government.”

Over half of Penang was submerged in floodwaters following hours of torrential rain that killed seven people last weekend. More than 6,000 people were evacuated from their homes.

Gerakan had led the state government from 1969 to 2008, before losing the state to the opposition. Koh Tsu Koon was the last chief minister from BN.

Last week, Mujahid, who is the Amanah vice-president, had also criticised Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon for his tongue-in-cheek remarks that despite Lim Guan Eng’s “deity-like” status, the chief minister was unable to overcome the flood problem in Penang.

Mujahid said the floods should instead serve as a “signal” to the people and government to be cautious with development projects and to take care of the environment. 

Meanwhile, Penang executive councillor in charge of agriculture, agro-based industry, health and rural development, Dr Afif Bahardin, described Zahid’s statement as a “cheap gimmick”.

“If that is so, other states governed by BN have experienced floods. Is that a ‘sign’ for the opposition to also take over?”

Afif said Zahid should instead look into the problems that the Welfare Department (JKM) was facing in helping flood victims.

“The officers told me they have not received enough allocations and goods to help the victims.

“How can JKM not be prepared during the rainy season in November and December?”

The Seberang Jaya assemblyman also pointed out that instead, non-governmental organisation Kelab Putera 1Malaysia was able to provide aid. He questioned if the group had obtained their funds from the government.

Penang’s Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said politics should be set aside during disasters.

“It is already bad enough for Penangites to go through the floods,” he said, adding the main priority now was to help them rebuild their homes. -FMT