Time for flood preparation, not politicking - Syed Saddiq

Recalling the disaster that ensued when major floods hit several states in December last year, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has reminded all political parties to prepare for floods instead of politicking.

“This is not a time for politics, but to help flood victims. If we hold the general election, how can we help the rakyat?

“Maybe (ministers) show up with a bag of rice for the rakyat, but it does not help them,” he said to some 50 attendees at a protest outside of Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Muar MP said that all parties, be it government or opposition, need to ensure that flood preparations are well organised.

In calling for there to be no repeat of wrong priorities, Syed Saddiq (above) cited how politicians were relishing their win in the Sarawak polls last December when the people in several states were dealing with floods.

He claimed that many ministers at the time were also travelling abroad when residents in Sri Muda, Shah Alam had their homes inundated, which resulted in some deaths.

“If the floods take place, will we remember their (ministers) stories about the fate and the welfare of the rakyat? Because during a general election, the ministers’ main focus is to find votes and people will be left to die (due to the floods).

“We don’t want the same thing to happen again, we don’t want the Sri Muda residents to be surprised by the removal of bodies. There are volunteers in Sri Muda who are traumatised to this day because of the bodies that were in front of them,” he said.

On Sept 17, BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition was willing to wade through the floods if the 15th general election (GE15) was held during the monsoon season.

That same day, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob also assured that the general election was “not too far away”, adding that the matter will be discussed soon.

Think of rakyat’s plight

The rally which lasted about two hours saw several elected representatives and party leaders urging for GE15 not to be held during the monsoon season, which is expected to take place from October to March next year.

Those present to voice the calls were Pasir Pinji assemblyperson Howard Lee, Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lim Yi Wei, Muda committee member Nurainie Haziqah Shafii and Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.

In her speech, Amira stressed that flood victims were still traumatised by the effects of last year’s deluge.

"Does Zahid think about the people? What are you waiting for? (For) the BN leaders (to) think about the lives of the people?

“Do you want to wait for more Malaysians to suffer and lose their lives before you help them?” the Muda vice president questioned.

“We have to urge Zahid to go down to the field to see the people’s suffering... As long as he sits on top he does not understand the suffering of the people,” she added.

Nurainie expressed two demands for the government, namely for GE15 not to be held until the end of the term, and for it to come up with a flood mitigation plan.

“Many (from Umno-BN) have said they are ready for floods and a general election. But those at the top level of Umno, they are not really ready, they are just not ready to go to jail.

“Don’t hold an election. Focus on the rakyat’s issues,” she said.

The Meteorological Department previously warned that there would be major floods in mid-November, the time that GE15 is expected to be held, due to the northeast monsoon.

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