FLOODS LIVE BLOG Malaysiakini brings the latest updates on the flood situation as they happen.
Latest developments
- Malaysiakini observes serious food shortage in Kelantan
7.31pm: There is slight improvement in the overall flood crisis as the number of displaced people fell slightly from 224,980 this afternoon to 222,365 this evening.
The number of evacuees has been on a decline, albeit very slowly, since this morning when there were 225,730 people housed at hundreds of relief centres in several states.
Kelantan, for the first time, shows some improvement. Conditions also improved in Johor, Perak and Terengganu.
Pahang is the only state which number of evacuees increase while the small number of people displaced by floods in Selangor have returned home.
The following is the latest number of displaced people as of 5pm today compared to noon's figures (at 3pm).
Kelantan 147,072 (-4,000)
Terengganu 32,210 (-572)
Selangor 0 (-33)
Johor 175 (-153)
Perak 7,407 (-133)
Pahang 35,501 (+2,276)
PM: Don't accept false news on social media
7.05pm: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak urges regulators to go after those who spread false news about the ongoing flood crisis.
"I hope the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will trace those spreading false information and take action against them,” he is quoted as saying by Bernama .
Najib also urges the public to rely on official information provided by the government and not accept rumours circulated on social media.
Railway infrastructure damaged
6.40pm: KTM Berhad says that some delay is expected in restoring the train services in the east coast line because the damages to infrastructure.
According to a Bernama report, the floods have damaged basic infrastructures like tracks, bridges, platforms and railway stations between Gua Musang and Tumpat in Kelantan.
Meanwhile, the Singapore government would be contributing S$100,000 (RM264,359) to aid flood victims all over Malaysia.
The funds will be channelled through the Singapore Red Cross to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society to be distributed here.
Husam: Numbers not important
6.28pm: PAS vice-president Husam Musa, who has been surveying the flood situation in Kelantan, shrugs off the RM500 million allocation announced by the federal government to help flood victims.
Husam says the figures are unimportant at this stage and focus should be on what immediate actions are being taken to assist the flood victims.
“I don’t want to hear about hundreds of millions, I want to know if there will be school uniforms, whether there will be help to repair damaged houses and cars,” he says while visiting Kampung Kadok in Pasir Mas.
DAP wants RCI on floods
5.22pm: Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang has urged a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the massive flooding in Malaysia, and that the government should learn from countries like South Korea and Japan so that the same incident won't happen again.
"This time, areas that have never experienced flooding before were also hit by the disaster.
"The water rose very fast and caught the authorities by surprise," he says during a press conference in Penang this evening.
He adds that such a situation should not have occurred in Malaysia, and the fact that it did, is a shame.
According to Lim, it shows the weaknesses in our country's disaster management system and standard operating procedure.
Span: Still no clean water for almost half of Kelantan
5pm: The National Water Service Commission (Span) says in a statement today that almost half of Kelantan has yet to receive a clean water supply since the floods hit.
This is because 24 of the water treatment plants (LRA) from the 32 in the state have ceased functioning, as there is no electricity being supplied.
According to Span, 130,000 user accounts from the total of 223,300 accounts in Kelantan have yet to receive pipe water supply.
Meanwhile, almost 34,400 from the total 378,800 of user accounts in Pahang are facing water disruptions due to the closure of 21 LRA there.
Little improvement in mass flooding
4.45pm: There has been little change in the flood situation plaguing several states, with only marginal improvements as of 3pm.
The number of people displaced by the floods dropped slightly from 225,730 this morning to 224,980 as of 3pm today.
The situation in Pahang and Johor remains unchanged while there is slight improvement in Terengganu and Perak.
There is no new data for Kelantan, while Selangor sees new flooding albeit only affecting a small number of people.
The latest figures of people displaced by the floods are as follow:
Kelantan 151,072 (no new data)
Pahang 33,225 (unchanged)
Terengganu 32,782 (-510)
Perak 7,540 (-273)
Johor 328 (unchanged)
Selangor 33 (+33)
DPM: School days do not need to be replaced
4.41pm: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says schools do not have to replace the days elapsed due to the postponement of the 2015 school year start date.
"There is no necessity to replace those days as the schooling period is sufficient. It is not a case of providing additional school holidays. We had to postpone the session due to a specific problem," Bernama reports him as saying.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin announced that the schooling year of 2015 was being postponed to Jan 11 and 12 instead of Jan 4 and Jan 5, due to the flood situation.
Penang launches Save Kuala Krai convoy
4.40pm: Penang DAP launches a 24-hour Save Kuala Krai convoy mission, by urging four-wheel-drive vehicles and pickup truck drivers to volunteer themselves to transport essential items to Kuala Krai.
P enang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow says the party would want to send an urgent appeal to those who own four-wheel-drive vehicles to participate in the mission on Jan 1.
“We want to dedicate most of the items collected to flood evacuees in Kuala Krai as the situation there is so serious. Since some of the routes are unpassable, we need to drive to Bentong first before reaching Kuala Krai.
“The mission team will leave Penang at around 2am and is expected to reach Bentong by 7am, then will drive another five hours to reach Kuala Krai,” he says in a press conference today together with DAP parliament opposition leader Lim Kit Siang.
"Those who are willing to be help, can contact our Penang headquarter office (04-2266482), DAP Penang secretary Lim Hui Ying(012-4053060) and Mr. Heng (016-4280694) by tomorrow 5pm."
"Anyway, Its difficult to estimate how many trucks are needed as people are still sending in material for the next 2 days."
RM500 for each army flood victim
4.30pm: Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says the Defence Ministry would be donating RM500 to each army personnel victimised by the floods.
He adds that from a phone conversation with the Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Han, Singapore has agreed to lend four water purifier machines for use during the floods.
“They (Singapore) have agreed to lend us four units of water purifier and twenty of their staff to assist with the operation of the machines,” Hishammuddin said in a statement today.
Severe flooding in Pulau Tioman
4.17pm: Images coming out from Pulau Tioman show severe flooding on the tourist haven island.
According to photographs posted on the National Security Council's Informasi Bencana Facebook page, the flooding had even caused several wooden houses to collapse.
Meanwhile, Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) restores power to some parts of the flood-hit states after earlier shutting down some 1,960 substations.
The power company says it had done so to avoid any short circuits, which may cause permanent damage.
A total 464 of the 1,960 substations have been restored. An estimated 152,660 people are still without power.
Public Works Dept suggests alternative route
4pm: The Public Works Department has posted an alternative route for those travelling from Terengganu to Alor Setar.
The alternative route starts from Besut and passes through Kuala Terengganu via Jalan Pesisir Pantai FT 003, as well as Kuantan, Muadzam, Bandar Tun Razak, and Kemanyan before exiting at Karak into the Plus highway.
The department also suggests an alternative path on its official Facebook page for those travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Dungun, Terengganu.
The route starts from Karak, then passes through Manchis, Kemayan, Bandar Tun Razak, Muadzam and Kuantan before arriving in Dungun.
Gov't calls back all top leadership on holiday
3.51pm: The government has recalled all top civil servants and heads of agencies from their holidays to assist in relief efforts as the country sees its worst floods in decades, which have displaced more than 225,000 people.
The office of the chief secretary to the government said in a statement today that the leave cancellation involves all ministry secretary-generals and heads of services, according to Bernama .
"The decision is in keeping with a directive from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for all cabinet ministers to work immediately to help manage the flood crisis," the statement says.
Met Dept issues red alert warning
3.35pm: The Malaysian Meteorological Department issues a red alert warning for several areas on the East Coast, warning of sporadic heavy rainfall until the end of the year.
The areas are Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu, Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin in Pahang and Mersing in Johor.
It also declares an 'Orange Alert' for Hulu Terengganu in Terengganu, Bera, Temerloh, Jerantut and Maran in Pahang, Segamat, Kluang and Kota Tinggi in Johor, Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang in Sarawak as well as all of Negeri Sembilan.
It says these areas should expect sporadic to moderately heavy rainfall until Dec 31.
The department also issued a 'Yellow Alert' for Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah, northern Perak, nothern and central Terengganu, western Johor and the interior of Pahang.
It says these areas will see monsoon rain coupled with strong winds until the end of this month.
Meanwhile, the National Security Council reports that the water level in three areas along Sungai Pahang - Sungai Yap, Chenor and Lubuk Paku - have reached dangerous levels.
Armed forces to assist in relief efforts
2.37pm: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin orders the armed forces to liaise with AirAsia, Firefly and MASKargo for logical assistance to help flood victims.
He also tells the Education Ministry to hasten the payment of the RM100 initial schooling aid especially to evacuees, Bernama reports.
2.09pm: More than 5,000 army personnel and various assets are involved in the Murni Operation to aid flood victims, says Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.
The minister arrived in Kelantan today to visit the flood evacuees and handed over aid, including foodstuff and basic amenities, Bernama reports.
1pm: The Malaysiakini team - which is in Kelantan - reports that flood evacuees there are currently lacking in proper food.
The situation on the ground has worsened so badly that victims have been forced to rely on biscuits and even soak instant noodles in rainwater for food.
The disaster has not spared political figures like Annual Bakri Harun, who was the former political secretary to ex-Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Monsoon rains and strong winds till year-end
2pm: The Meteorological Department says the heavy monsoon rains is expected to continue at least until Wednesday, Dec 31, which will not augur well for the current flood crisis in the East Coast.
This morning's forecast said monsoon rains and strong winds for Perlis, Kedah, Perak (north), Kelantan, Terengganu (north and centre), Pahang (inland), Johor (west) and Sabah.
DPM visits flood victims in Terengganu
1.34pm: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin brings cheer to flood victims in Terengganu this morning.
Muhyiddin visits two schools in Terengganu which housed more than 1,300 evacuees. He is accompanied by Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman and state secretary Mazlan Ngah.
The group arrives by helicopter and has to drive for 10km using a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach Sekolah Kebangsaaan Durian Mentangau, Bernama reports.
Flooded highways at Exit 819 near Temerloh
1pm: The official Facebook page of the National Security Council (NSC), Informasi Bencana, posts a picture of flooded highways at Exit 819 near Temerloh, Pahang.
Earlier this morning, it was reported that the Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (LPT) highway at Lanchang -Maran (Km126) was still closed due to floods.
The page also reports that other roads in Pahang are badly flooded, causing traffic congestion in areas including Bandar Bera and Pekan.
ATM denies false evacuation WhatsApp
12.33pm: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) denies ordering flood victims in Pekan, Pahang to move out because of the worsening floods.
This was in response to a message being sent out via WhatsApp claiming ATM had ordered the people in Pekan to evacuate as a the flood situation in Pahang is to worsen in 24 hours.
ATM, in a statement, denies having released such an order or even disseminating the message and has urged all parties to stop spreading such messages which can cause panic among the victims.
Prime minister visits Perak
12.19pm: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak arrives in Perak to look into the flood situation there, reports Bernama .
No segregation, says director
11.37am: Malaysian Civil Defence Department (JPAM) director Zaitun Ab Samad denies allegations of segregating resources for flood victims.
In a statement today, she was responding to rumours on social media that JPAM was trying to stop resources and help being given to evacuees around Kuala Krai in Kelantan.
She adds that JPAM welcomes all forms of donations and help from the public to assist with the flood situation.
'Uncontrolled logging behind floods'
11.30am: Activist Anas Alam Faizli claims on Twitter today that uncontrolled logging is behind the worsening floods in Malaysia.
He alleges according to a report done via a global forest map states affected by floods badly like Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang have been victims of deforestation.
The report also claims that between the year 2000 to 2012, Malaysia had the world's highest rate of forest loss.
Flood evacuees hit 225,730
9.45am:
The total number of people displaced by the floods nationwide now stands at 225,730.
According to the latest figure by Bernama , the number of evacuees in Kelantan continues to increase drastically while the other states see minor changes.
However, there is notable improvement in Terengganu with a drop in numbers by 2,130 compared to last night's 36,210.
Kelantan: 151,072 (+16,933)
Pahang: 33,225 (+2,130)
Terengganu: 33,292 (-2,918)
Perak: 7,813 (+274)
Johor: 328 (-4)
DPM: School opening delayed a week
9.26am:
Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says the ministry will delay the school opening for 2015 a week in light of the flood disaster.
School term for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor will open on Sunday, 11 Jan, 2015 while the rest of the nation opens on Monday 12 Jan.
9.30am: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has urged four individuals to come forward to help investigations on rumours regarding the collapse of Manik Urai School relief centre which was circulated on social media.
"Several individuals have been identified and we urge them to come forward to help in the investigations," MCMC chairperson Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said in a Bernama report yesterday.
9.00am: Minister of Multimedia and Comunication Ahmad Shabery Cheek said so far not all mobile phone services were affected because service by some service providers was still available.
Ahmad Shabery also expressed regret because the Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) transmitter here could not function due to lack of electricity.
He also thanked amateur radio association for continuing to provide broadcast services and information, reported Bernama .
7.52am: According to the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) this morning, the LPT highway at Lanchang - Maran (Km126) is still closed due to floods around Temerloh.
