LIVE BLOG FLOODS Malaysiakini brings the latest updates on the flood situation as they happen.
Latest developments
- Flood crisis hits Sabah, state goes on alert
- Terengganu recovers as many head home
- Gua Musang evacuees claim getting one meal a day
- Evacuation figures this morning total 85,480
The situation in the Kota Belud district worsens with over eight villages hit with floods as reported earlier.
However, the relief centre in Tawau has been closed and the 13 evacuees housed there, sent home.
Sabah CM puts state on alert
3.12pm: Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman today orders all district officers in the state to be prepared for floods, reports Bernama .
He says their main focus should be on helping flood victims and evacuating them to relief centres should the need arise.
Musa says he has asked state secretary Sukarti Wakiman, who is chairperson of the state disaster relief committee, to monitor the preparations in all the districts.
"All state and federal government agencies should cooperate in providing assistance to the flood victims," he says after presenting National Dual Training System (NDTS) and 1Azam certificates in Sandakan.
Musa says floods struck two districts - Kota Belud and Tawau - today, and several people have been evacuated.
Meanwhile, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Mohd Affendy K Ramin says provision of aid and evacuation of victims were conducted in eight villages in Kota Belud and one in Tawau.
Sabah towns now swamped in deluge
2.30pm:
Around eight villages inundated with water have been evacuated in northern Kota Belud, Sabah after water rose to knee-high level early this morning, The Star reports.The affected villages include Kampung Linau, Kampung Gunding, Kampung Menunggui, Kampung Bobot, Kampung Kota Belud, Kampung Siasai, Kampung Kotabungan and Kampung Lobak Engad.
1pm: While the flood situation in the peninsular states improves, heavy rainfall in Sabah has now caused flash floods in several main towns.
Tawau and Kota Belud areas are reportedly to be heavily flooded with the roads being inaccessible due to high water levels including major.
Photographs posted on the National Security Council’s (MKN) disaster page shows a road in Balung, Tawau severely damaged by floodwaters while in Kota Belud a resident is seen using a sampan to get around.
Rescuers are also seen pulling people to safety in waist-deep water.
Bernama reports that floodwaters were rising in five villages after Sungai Lebak Moyoh in Sabah burst its banks earlier this morning and over 50 people being evacuated.
Terengganu recovers, Kelantan also improving
12.30pm: Terengganu has almost recovered from floods with 2,917 victims left in Dungun as at noon compared to 4,359 victims this morning, reports Bernama .
The situation in Kelantan is also improving as evacuation numbers drop to 27,282.
UK M'sian students chip in
12.30pm: More than three Malaysian student societies in the United Kingdom have launched a flood donation drive to help the flood victims back home, reports Bernama .
Some of the Malaysian students were equally worried as they have not been in touch with their families back home for several days because the communication lines have been cut or their families have moved to flood relief centres.
The worrying situation back home prompted many of the Malaysian students to come forward to lend a helping hand in collaboration with the Education Malaysia UK & Ireland (EM), a unit under the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia and under the administration of the Malaysian High Commission in London.
The Director of EM associate professor Mohad Anizu Mohd Nor in an email interview with Bernama says that EM is currently collaborating with a few Malaysian student societies in collecting donation for the flood victims.
“Malaysian students throughout the UK and Ireland have shown deep concern over this tragedy. I strongly believe they will come together through their associations or individually to collect funds besides holding special prayers to ease the burden of the victims.
"I really hope that our thoughts and prayers go to all affected Malaysians back home and hope we stay united during these trying times," he says noting that the efforts signaled the high level of awareness, responsibility and support from Malaysians in the UK and Ireland.
All donations will be handed over to the Malaysian High Commissioner in London, Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi, before being channeled to NGOs in Malaysia.
SMSA's funds will be channeled to the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA), a registered humanitarian organisation based in Kuala Lumpur, while HIMSAK UK and Ireland will channel its collection to its parent body back home.
"HIMSAK submitted £2,296.10 (RM12,536) on Dec 29. Whereas, SMSA has launched its donation drive with the theme “Malaysian students £15k donation” on Dec 28 with several other Malaysian societies and organisation in United Kingdom to collect up to RM82,000," he adds.
Abim: State must put up proper plan
11.30am : Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) president Amidi Abdul Manan urges the Kelantan government to immediately announce an action plan to deal with the floods and its aftermath.
He says in a statement today, the flood evacuees currently face problems like being evicted from relief centres and having to deal with the mounting rubbish in badly hit flood areas like Gua Musang and Kuala Krai.
Amidi adds the delay in a proper state plan might also cause problems for victims to plan ahead for their recovery from the catastrophe.
Evacuees claim getting 1 meal a day
11am
: Flood evacuees in Gua Musang, Kelantan claim that food is being rationed at relief centres starting yesterday, Sinar Harian reports.The victims allege that instead of being given three meals a day, they have only been given a single meal which has to be taken by 3pm.
The displaced at relief centres also claim they instead have to fork out their own money to purchase food being sold at exorbitant prices.
Hold RCI on flood, calls consumer group
11am: Board member from the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) Muhammad Shaani Abdullah urges the government to set up a royal commission inquiry (RCI) to probe the abnormal flooding in the East Coast.
In an Utusan Malaysia report today, Shaani says the RCI will not just unearth the contributing factors, it will also provide a specific framework for implementing comprehensive measure to deal with future situations.
"If we don't do something, it is not impossible the same thing will happen again, and during that time will we be prepared to face it?
“So, this is not the time to point fingers. There needs to be an implementation to ensure the survival of the people," he says.
Anwar: Focus on victims, not my holiday
9.16am: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has apologised for being unable to return promptly to help flood victims in Malaysia, but reminded that his absence should not be the issue.
“I call on all to focus their attention on cooperation and giving room and opportunity for all who want to offer assistance, don’t cling to politics or discriminate,” he says on arrival at the Kota Bharu’s Sultan Ismail Petra Airport according to Sinar Harian .
Anwar explains he was unable to return earlier because flights were unavailable and his ticket could not be changed.
8am: Bernama reports the Japanese government, via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), has pledged emergency relief aid worth over RM500,000 for flood stricken states in Malaysia.
In a statement yesterday, the Japanese embassy in Kuala Lumpur says this followed consultations with Malaysian authorities over the past several days.
"The government of Japan is ready to offer and provide immediate emergency relief facilities and equipment including generators, water purifiers and other humanitarian goods via Jica."
It says the government and people of Japan expressed heartfelt sympathy to the people of Malaysia over the massive flooding that forced a huge number of people in the affected areas to be evacuated.
"The Japanese government always stands ready to assist Malaysia in such tragic circumstances and earnestly hopes that the Malaysian government and its people will face the adversity with courage," it adds.
8am: The latest official evacuation figures this morning totals 85,480 evacuees.
Total evacuees: 85,480
Johor: 138
Kelantan: 29,582
Pahang: 44,001
Perak: 7,400
Terengganu: 4,359
As at 8am, the disaster information website indicates Sg Pahang at several points and Kuala Sg Chini to have exceeded the danger levels despite the absence of heavy rain this morning.
Similarly Sg Golok in Kelantan has exceeded the danger levels but levels are going down.
In Perak, Sg Perak and Temengor lake have exceeded danger levels
Tawau, Sabah has also been hit by floods due to heavy rains last night but the roads are now passable to traffic.
