It appears that politics muddied the federal government response to the debilitating floods affecting the country’s north.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has issued an order all federal government agencies to come in aid of flood victims in PAS-ruled Kedah, irrespective of their political affiliations.

NONE Conveying the instruction via a phone call to his private secretary Shahlan Ismail in Jitra, Najib said, there should be no discrimination in the provision of aid.

"I am aware of how serious the flood situation in Kedah and Perlis and I will do all I can to help the flood victims," he said.

In the phone conversation, Najib, who is recovering from chicken pox, also asked Shahlan about the flood situation and expressed the hope that the people would be patient in facing the calamity.

He also thanked the people for their prayers for his health and speedy recovery.

    

Sultan: Set aside political differences

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, called on all parties to set aside their political differences in helping the flood victims.

He urged the federal and state government agencies, corporate bodies and individuals to come forward to provide assistance in whatever form to lessen the burden of the flood victims.

"I am very sad over the flood disaster that has affected the people of this beloved state, but I believe there is 'hikmah' (wisdom) behind all this.

"Let us be grateful with what Allah has blessed us with, and what is important for us now is to reflect and learn lessons from this calamity," he said in his speech at a briefing on the flood situation, at Wisma Darul Aman, Alor Setar today.

    

Tuanku Abdul Halim thanked the state government and State Disaster Management and Relief Committee in handling the flood situation.

NONE According to Shahlan, the Prime Minister's Office was now working with numerous corporations as well as with the Association of Wives of Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) to provide assistance to the flood victims.

Non-governmental organisations would also be roped in to help the victims after the flood subsided, he said.

"We will provide about 10,000 units of gas stoves to the victims in Kedah and Perlis. I am currently dealing with the respective agencies to distribute these items," he said.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Mohd Johari Baharom, who was also here to hand over assistance to the victims, said the Muda Agriculture Development Authority and National Security Council would survey damages to crops so that assistance could be given to those affected.

A Kampung Pulau Timbul resident Aishah Hassan, 59, said the assistance provided by the state government was not sufficient.

- Bernama