The government does not practice favouritism when distributing flood aid, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

Such claims have been circulating on social media, prompting  regulator Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission to take action on rumour mongers.

Ismail stressed that the government had given aid to those who were affected by the floods regardless of the political parties they supported.

The Bera MP also reminded the public to not spread rumours in relation to the aids given to flood victims.

"Nowadays, a lot of people like to slander because they have nothing else to do. So they became creative and think of nonsensical things," he said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.

"I believe that generally, it (aid given selectively) did not happen. But in such situations, there will be those who will take the opportunity for their own political interests.

"A few people have been arrested because of incorrect claims made on social media," he added.

Ismail was responding to questions on claims that there had been selective aid given to flood victims.

'Not possible to send aid to all households'

He further explained that comprehensive aid - given by the government - was made through the village security and development committees (JKKK).

“For aid to the villages, we send it to the JKKK. The committees will then distribute the aid accordingly. It is not possible for the government to send aid to all households,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Ismail noted that Pahang’s post-flood team has started cleaning areas in Jerantut last Friday.

Districts which were affected badly by the floods in Pahang will also be given “adoptive ministries” to coordinate the aid given to flood victims, Ismail added.

“Things will be more coordinated and detailed since there are adoptive ministries,” he pointed out.

The ministries involved are the Defence Ministry (Jerantut and Kuantan), the Works Ministry (Temerloh), the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry (Kuala Lipis), the Human Resources Ministry (Maran), the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry (Bera) and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Pekan).

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