Dr M visits flood victims

FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived at Penang on Nov 8 to visit the victims of the floods which severely hit the state four days earlier.

Dr Mahathir and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng held a joint press conference at the Penang International Airport to address the concerns of Penangites affected by the storm.

“I’m here today to show concern and solidarity with those affected by the storm. It’s an old habit of mine (when I was PM) to visit victims of natural calamities.

“We have to bear in mind that there would only be more occurrence of such disasters in the future. So, we have to learn our lessons and find ways and means to deal with such disasters.

“All these have got to do with global warming,” said Dr Mahathir.

“Besides offering words of comfort to the people of Penang, I’d like to laud the success of the chief minister in getting federal assistance during these trying times within short notice. It is precisely at times like this that we should set aside our political differences and concentrate our efforts and resources in helping the flood victims regardless of race and political affiliation,” he said.

“When there’s global warming, there’s more evaporation of water and the same goes to the changes in temperatures in different parts of the world. So, there will be excess rain plus stronger winds caused by the differences in air pressure. There’s nothing much we can do about it as global warming is a reality!” the veteran statesman added.

Dr Mahathir visited the flood victims at Teluk Kumbar, Taman Desa Murni in Sungai Dua, SK Sungai Dua, Merbau Kudung at Tasek Gelugor, Masjid Nyior Sebatang and Penanti before leaving for Kuala Lumpur in the evening.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, exco member for Tourism Development and Culture Danny Law, Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, Lim’s strategic adviser Datuk Saifuddin Nasution and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Penang chief Marzuki Yahya.