PARLIAMENT | Noh Omar has described the floods that claimed seven lives in Penang as unanticipated, but at the same time issued a reminder to all state governments in regard to approving development projects.

"This was unanticipated. Not only floods but also a tsunami-like typhoon (sic)," Noh told the Dewan Rakyat during the question-and-answer session this morning.

"We request all states to ensure green lungs (are preserved), slope areas and drainage management (are taken care of) when they approve development projects," Noh said.

Critics have accused Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his administration of being pro-developer.

Last month, a landslide at a construction site in Tanjung Bungah killed 11 workers.

Meanwhile, Noh said Fire and Rescue Department personnel were able to rescue scores of people affected by the weekend floods after receiving a total of 583 distress calls.

“One of the victims who died declined to follow instructions to vacate his house,” revealed the minister of urban wellbeing, housing and local government.

He also urged the people to listen to the instructions from the Fire and Rescue Department.

"The Fire and Rescue Department is 100 percent ready with its manpower, machinery and logistics assets," he said, adding that all the states were instructed to activate their operation centres.

Elaborating further, he said the coordination between various departments, such as the police, National Disaster Management Agency, Meteorological Department, Civil Defence Force, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Health Ministry and other agencies, was needed.