Floods unite, bring governments together despite political differences - Salleh
KUALA LUMPUR: The flash floods that hit the northern areas of the peninsula, especially in Penang, have united and brought the federal and state governments together, despite their political differences, to help the victims in facing the calamity, which has been regarded as the worst flash floods in history.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the floods had also witnessed a very close cooperation forged between the federal and state governments in solving the problems of the affected residents.
"This is a very interesting scenario. Mature politics is being practised. Deep down in my heart, I say: This is Malaysia. Political differences could not hamper joint efforts to solve the people's problems. PM Najib is a gentleman," he said in his latest blog post at http://sskeruak.blogspot.my/.
Salleh said he was also fascinated by the statement made by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who said that he had contacted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid early Sunday morning to seek assistance and his call was answered by Ahmad Zahid.
"... and they met the following morning and worked together to solve the problems faced by the people," Salleh said.
The minister said the flash floods had so far caused almost 7,000 people in Penang and another 3,000 in Kedah to be evacuated to relief centres.
"Today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, went to Penang and they were welcomed by Lim and were given a briefing on the flood situation by the state government.
"I could see that they were on friendly term when discussing possible solutions to the people's problems," he said.
The number of flood evacuees housed at relief centres in Penang had risen to 7,294 (of 1,774 families) this afternoon from 6,080 (of 1,572 families) this morning.
In Kedah, the number of evacuees in four flood-hit districts had dropped to 442 as at 4 pm from 982 recorded at 9 am. — Bernama