MKN put in charge of flood relief, after flak over Nadma

 

More than 60,000 people have been evacuated after large-scale floods in five states at the weekend.

PETALING JAYA: The National Security Council (MKN) will be taking the lead for flood relief efforts effective immediately, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced this evening, in the face of criticism over the lack of response from the national disaster agency.

Ismail said MKN will issue directives to the relevant quarters on initiatives that need to be carried out.

The National Disaster Management Agency will remain the main agency to manage and coordinate such efforts. “And if a directive (by Nadma) isn’t adhered to, MKN will issue the instructions,” he said in a statement after chairing a special meeting on the large-scale flooding in five states at the weekend.

Ismail’s announcement this evening follows the criticisms levelled at Nadma.

Earlier today, an NGO called on the government to drop special functions minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad, who heads the agency, for its failure to respond to the floods, which have claimed eight lives in Selangor so far.

Latiff had previously been quoted as saying that Nadma was not directly involved in dealing with natural disasters such as floods at the state level, and was largely responsible for providing compensation after being provided information by relevant state authorities.

Yesterday, NST reported that some victims could not reach Nadma, forcing the agency to add more hunting lines to its emergency hotline. - FMT