On social media, many are angry at the slow action, ‘publicity’ visits of politicians

'No need for curry, O coffee to discuss disaster management'

There is no need for curry paste or O coffee to discuss crisis management during disasters that require swift action, said former prime minister Najib Razak.

Most importantly, said the Pekan MP, all parties should put aside their egos without having to point fingers or quarrel.

“There is no room to point fingers or quarrel over whose jurisdiction, who should do that, this is my job not him why interfere.

"Government procedures are many, but in times of crisis, what is more important? From the Federation, to the states, to the districts and villages. We have various agencies and committees, not only do we do all this, there are issues, resolve them.

"There is no need for curry paste, coffee tea. Meetings are short and simple. Make plans, then go out and implement and help the people as best you can," he said in a post on his Facebook, today.

Earlier, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) received strong criticism over a statement by the minister responsible for the agency's functions when the country was facing a major flood situation.

It follows a report by a news portal on December 15 which reported that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Duties), Abdul Latiff Ahmad, said that Nadma only took care of the matter in providing compensation to the victims after getting information and a list from the state.

He said Nadma also did not plan to place her office and staff at the district level as it involved huge costs.

However, Abdul Latiff in the same portal report after that gave an explanation regarding his statement which was deemed as a misinterpretation.

Meanwhile, Najib said, in a crisis situation, it needed a decision and action to be taken immediately.

However, he said it required clear planning through proper coordination.

"There is a crisis, handle it immediately. There is a need, do it. Coordination is important, the mission must be clear, action must be immediate," he added.

'If the water rises, I will save the public first, what are you waiting for?'

Preparedness instructions to the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) to engage in flood operations have been received from the top level over the past two months, said Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang.

"Instructions from above since two months ago, said ready, if the water rises I will not wait anymore if I have members and assets ready, I will save the public first want to wait what else," he said at the Taman Sri Muda Flood Ops press conference in Shah Alam today.

He said this in response to allegations that the ATM came down to help flood victims without the approval of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and informed that his party was ready to be involved in flood operations, if there was an increase in water in any area.

Admitting that the disaster situation was a bit chaotic in the early stages, Affendi said the matter always happened in a disaster situation anywhere.

"Even in the United States, when a hurricane occurs, they also face the same problem but that is not necessarily the point, we need to improve from there.

"Of course on the first day, the situation is chaotic but if everyone works together and plays their part, we can solve it and less people suffer," he said, adding that during the current emergency, all parties need to work together.

Affendi said in times of disaster, there is no single right system to deal with all types of disasters and the only way is for everyone to work together and solve them. It is true that in the beginning we will be confused but after going through it everything will be resolved.

He said the ATM was now ready to face the monsoon season which would usually result in floods in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.

“I want to remind you that for this flood disaster, I think we have to be prepared, (the worst situation) is not over. This monsoon has not yet reached Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor which are traditional areas. So our members are all there to make sure if anything happens they will be in place, ”he said.

On social media, many are angry at the slow action, ‘publicity’ visits of politicians

Frustration and anger over the government’s alleged slow response to the floods, as well as politicians seen using the disaster for publicity are still hotly debated on social media.

Citizens have uploaded and shared a number of videos which, among others, show the negative reactions of flood victims towards ministers visiting the affected areas or raise criticism of the government's rescue efforts.

Among the videos were those uploaded by Twitter user Farid Reduan, who informed that the recording was taken in Bukit Changgang, Selangor.

The video showed a convoy of official government cars escorted by police passing several individuals resting in a blue tent.

A woman in the tent then made cynical comments about the convoy.

"Thank you, many of you please. Wow, many (cars) came to help the flood victims.

"Tomorrow the flood has receded, come again yes bye," he said.

Another video was uploaded by a TV3 journalist, which showed a man known as Pak Din at a temporary accommodation center at SK Teluk Gong in Klang, Selangor. The reporter said there was a shortage of food and water supply there.

The man was seen scolding someone (not included in the footage).

"We expect help from philanthropists. Where is the government?

“What is your responsibility? We chose you to manage our administration and security. ”

"We were asked for a disaster, three days here. We only get help from philanthropists. Please, where is the National Security Council? Where is the Social Welfare Department? ” The question is.

Another video uploaded by a Twitter user named Haziq Asyraf Jr, showed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was in a car and talking to a woman through a car window.

The woman was recorded saying that her house was in a higher area and the area on the inside was more severely affected.

Meanwhile, a video uploaded on TikTok showed Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz wearing a safety jacket boarding a boat and heading towards the roof of a flooded house.

The boat was full of other people who were also wearing life jackets. After arriving close to the roof, some people helped Tengku Zafrul to climb to the roof.

Words on the video claimed the boat was boarded by ministerial officials, security guards and cameramen.

"The aid was slow to arrive because we were waiting for the box with the logo to be ready. Right," he said.

Apart from that, the DO NOT DONATE TO GOVERNMENT sign is also popular on Twitter with more than 30,000 tweets so far. It follows the launch of the Malaysian Family Flood Relief Fund last Monday.

Many who made the remarks using the fence sign voiced frustration with the government and encouraged the public to channel donations to NGOs.

There are also those who raise doubts about how the fund money will be used later.