The community of Setiu, the worst-hit district by the floods in Terengganu, welcomed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi this morning despite feeling sad over the disaster.

Upon arrival, he attended a briefing on the flood situation in the state given by State Secretary Muhatar Abdullah at the Setiu District Office.

According to a Bernama report, Abdullah was accompanied on his trip by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil and Terengganu Menteri Besar Idris Jusoh.

17 homes damaged

After the briefing, the prime minister visited the areas hit by the floods, Kampung Che Long, Kampung Hulu Seladang and Kampung Buluh in the Setiu district. He visited the homes of many villagers who were happy to see their prime minister in their midst.

He also performed Friday prayers at the Pak Kancil Mosque near Setiu, before leaving for Kuala Lumpur.

In the recent floods which hit the Setiu district, more than 17 homes were damaged while six others were completely destroyed, in addition to the loss of property estimated to cost more than RM10 million.

As of today, more than 1,280 flood victims have been evacuated to relief centres in the districts of Setiu, Besut, Dungun and Marang.