As Terengganu floods worsen, exco member yearns to play in water

Flooding in Terengganu has progressively worsened since the weekend with thousands displaced.

However, for one state exco member, there was a yearning for simpler days when he could play in flood waters.

"Childhood memory," Azman Ibrahim posted on X yesterday, with a video of him watching two youths on a motorcycle towing another boy riding a bucket lid across the flood waters for fun.

The flood water was about calf high.

"Enjoy your childhood. If time could be turned back, I would like to go back to this time too," Azman (above) added.

The post has been heavily criticised for romanticising the floods.

Among the critics was Johor's Skudai assemblyperson Marina Ibrahim, who said Azman's post was irresponsible.

"Those in flooded areas may read this and feel 'Oh, it's okay to play in the flood, it’s an experience'.

"But what if someone drowns or something unwanted happens?" she said.

Flood situation

Hours before Azman's posting on X, authorities reported that the number of people in Terengganu displaced by floods on Monday morning had risen to 2,111 - a dramatic increase from just 826 flood victims the night before.

As of writing, the number of displaced flood victims in Terengganu is now at 9,861, while another 16,903 have had to evacuate their homes in Kelantan.

There have been at least three deaths caused directly by floods thus far, all in Kelantan.

Another four deaths due to drowning, reportedly unrelated to the floods, and sudden death were also reported in Kelantan.

Azman has not responded to criticism of romanticising the flood.

However, he did post on X yesterday evening that TikTok had removed the video on their platform.

"I have to invite TikTok to play in flood waters too," he said in response.