Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri’s decision to only hold a 1-day special Parliamentary sitting regarding one of the worst flood disasters faced by our country in recent history has been universally panned by the rakyat who want solutions and proactive actions in deterring such catastrophic disaster response in the future. Worse, Ismail even attempted to rewrite history on the devastating floods by claiming that he was on the ground since day one of the disaster despite being caught attending a ‘cake-cutting’ ceremony with UMNO during that period.
Previously, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ipoh Barat, M. Kula Segaran called the 1-day Parliament sitting on the flood a joke, saying that Parliament should sit for at least 3 to 4 days in order to come up with effective plans and policies against the handling of natural disasters in the country. These include matters related to national interests such as floods and post floods, coordination of assistance to the rakyat and long-term flood disaster planning.
In the special sitting yesterday, the Prime Minister revealed that the floods have claimed the lives of 54 people, with 38,113 families displaced and a total of 136,030 victims recorded. Furthermore, Ismail Sabri in an apparent attempt to absolve himself and his government from any blame also alleged that many opposition leaders were missing throughout the flood crisis and even pointed the finger to the management at the state and district level.
Such a low class statement. Why not ask his own Ministers – those he urged to cancel leave and return home from overseas?
Posted by Hannah Yeoh on Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Such tasteless comment by the Prime Minister was criticised by the MP for Segambut, Hannah Yeoh who branded the statement ‘low class’ and reminded Ismail Sabri how the Prime Minister had to issue a public statement urging his own Ministers to come back Malaysia as they were on holiday overseas during the flood crisis.
Hannah also took to Facebook to share a video of the Parliament sitting that was marred by shoutings and unruly behaviour by the government backbenchers, especially Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Rahman. A simple question from Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran regarding the Minister in charge of NADMA’s portfolio was interrupted by government MPs and failed to be answered properly, which puts into question the sincerity of the government to take proactive action against disaster management by only allowing for a 1-day Parliament sitting that will ultimately achieve nothing.
Saya bila berdepan dengan wakil rakyat yang buat kacau macam ini kena banyak bersabar, kawal emosi dan bertenang.Yang jerit ni merupakan Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong Kerajaan (Backbenchers Club). Function beliau untuk backup Kerajaan. Pada masa itu Gobind Singh Deo dan M Kulasegaran dan saya bertanyakan soalan kepada Menteri yang menjaga portfolio NADMA (Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara) mengenai banjir. Saya bila berdepan dengan wakil rakyat yang buat kacau macam ini – kena banyak bersabar, kawal emosi dan bertenang. Boleh rasa tekanan darah naik fuh fuh fuh *deep breathing exercise*
Posted by Hannah Yeoh on Thursday, 20 January 2022
The rakyat, especially those affected by the floods do not deserve to have such an incompetent government that only knows to point fingers when disaster strikes. The Federal Government under Ismail Sabri must own up to their mistakes and work hand in hand with the opposition to craft more sound policies and proactive actions so that the flood disaster would not happen again in the future. – The Rocket.
