THERE have been no issues about the way flood management in Terengganu is handled despite the absence of its Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar who is said to be currently in Auckland, New Zealand with his family.
State Welfare, Women Development, Family, and National Unity Committee chairperson Hanafiah Mat has been reported as saying by Malaysiakini that he was “very satisfied with all parties helping flood victims in the state”.
“As the deputy chairperson of state disaster management, I am very satisfied in all departments and the temporary settlement centres. All the exco and people’s representatives also played a very good role,” he told the news portal.
Hanafiah, who is also the Chukai assemblyperson, confirmed that Ahmad Samsuri is indeed in Auckland and will return today.
“God willing, the menteri besar will return from New Zealand today, but at what time, it is not certain,” he said.
“So, there is no question of the absence of the menteri besar in Terengganu because all flood matters here are under control,” he said.
In a live session on Facebook last night, former UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam claimed that Ahmad Samsuri was absent abroad despite the fact that Terengganu is being hit by floods.
“This is your leader, ‘honeymooning’ with the family is more important than the people’s suffering,” said Lokman, presenting what he alleged were receipt printouts of the car rented by Samsuri during his holiday.
Lokman further lambasted Ahmad Samsuri for initiating a donation drive for flood victims, via his office as the Rhu Rendang assemblyperson, while not being physically present.
A check on Ahmad Samsuri’s official Facebook page shows that the feed is filled with flood-related updates in the state, but none of it shows him visiting any of the disaster-stricken areas.
As of this morning, some 40,450 people in the east coast state have been evacuated to 299 relief centres – an increase of nearly 1,000 compared to the 39,500 staying at the evacuation centres last night. – Dec 21, 2022
Main photo credit: Malaysiakini
