HUMANITY prevails amid a flood crisis when volunteers in Penang rushed in to do what they can to help the flood victims in the neighbouring states – Selangor and Pahang.
The members of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia from states like Penang, Perak and Johor went to join their counterparts to clean the affected areas in Taman Sri Muda, one of the badly hit areas in Shah Alam.
The society’s commissioner in Penang Datuk Khoo Boo Leong was quoted as saying that 200 volunteers were deployed to provide immediate assistance to the victims.
The Penang government had also mobilised its assets on Dec 20 to aid the victims in Selangor and Pahang.
Workers of both local councils – Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) – are still at the flood-hit areas, cleaning up after the flood. With them is MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
It was reported that Yew was leading the MBPP special squad in Bentong, Pahang, to provide cleaning up services on Dec 24.
MBSP Crisis Management Department head Mohammad Aidil Samsuri was quoted as saying that the recent flood in Selangor was worse than the one which hit Penang in 2017.
Mohammad Aidil reportedly expressed his shock when he arrived in Puchong on Dec 23.
“I hope that the people in Selangor will stay strong in facing these challenges. We will help the best we can,” he said after helping to clean up Kampung Tengah, Puchong.
Most Penang assemblymen and Members of Parliament (MPs) also rushed to the flood-hit locations to offer their help and take part in the gotong-royong.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang stood in solidarity with the flood victims in Selangor and Pahang.
“Besides providing manpower, the state government has also sent out food and medical aid to the affected areas in stages.
“Penang will continue to offer its help to those in need,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, Chow expressed his thanks to all who had come together to assist the flood victims. He also prayed that the victims remained strong.
“Our hearts go out to all the victims and Malaysians who are directly or indirectly impacted by the flood.
“Words cannot express the pain and sadness that we feel for each and every one of you.
“Penang is with you all the way. You are not alone,” Chow said on his Facebook page on Dec 23.
Story by Christopher Tan