No need to declare climate emergency, floods under control - minister

 

The floods that have hit several states do not warrant the government declaring a climate emergency, for now, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said there are certain processes and evaluations that have to be carried out before such a declaration can be made.

“For the moment, there is no need to declare a climate emergency because the situation (flooding) is still under control.

“On the whole, flood operations are under control and running well, with reports submitted regularly including during yesterday’s cabinet meeting,” he told a press conference after handing over aid to flood victims at a relief centre in Alor Pasir in Wakaf Bharu, Kelantan today.

Also present were Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Kelantan police chief Muhamad Zaki Harun.

Prior to this, it was reported by the media that Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman filed an emergency motion under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2) with Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul seeking the lower house to declare a climate emergency and discuss immediate flood mitigation measures to minimise damage, especially along the peninsula’s east coast.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said he had provided additional air assets to Kelantan and Terengganu.

“The additional air assets that I have requested from police are two units for Kelantan and one unit in Terengganu,” he added.

He also advised residents in flood-affected areas to cooperate with the authorities.

“If you are instructed to evacuate, don’t delay because it could be life-threatening,” he said.

- Bernama