Malaysian Prime Minister confesses a delay in rescue attempts, warning of additional floods

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob apologised to failings in the government's reaction to flooding that has killed more than a dozen people and displaced more than 60,000 people on Tuesday, predicting further storms and heavy rain in the coming days.

After torrential rains began last Friday, causing floods in eight states, the country activated the army and other security forces.

 

The public and MPs have chastised authorities for their tardy reaction, with some individuals being trapped by floodwaters for more than two days before being evacuated, particularly in Selangor, the country's wealthiest and most populated region.

 

According to a broadcast on state-run news channel Bernama TV on Tuesday, the Prime Minister admitted flaws in the coordination of federal security services' reaction.

Ismail Sabri added, "I don't dispute (the flaws) and will better in the future."

"The burden does not fall solely on the federal government; it also falls on state administrations, with districts serving as the frontline."

 

As a tropical depression headed into four states in Malaysia's north, the Meteorological Department warned that further flooding could occur in the following days.

"This condition could lead to flooding in low-level areas in the northern states due to continuous rains and strong gusts," the department warned in a statement.

The death toll from the floods in Selangor rose to 17 on Tuesday, with more than 30,000 people being relocated to makeshift shelters, according to the state's Chief Minister, Amirudin Shari.

As of Tuesday, about 63,000 people had been relocated across the country, according to the national disaster management office.