I READ the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad, the person in charge of the National Management Agency for Natural Disasters (NADMA) that the floods and the devastation wrought were lessons to be learnt to avoid the repeat of past mistakes.
This cliche of “lessons to be learnt” has no meaning in the country insofar as politicians and Government officials are concerned. It is well and good to make such a statement, but lessons are hardly learnt from tragic and painful incidents of the past or recent past.
I am afraid that Government agencies are going to repeat the past mistakes of inaction and irresponsibility.
When there is hardly any public accountability on the part of those who hold the reins of power, how can lessons be learned to avoid future tragedy? Another massive flood in a year or two, I might not be surprised if we get the same response of inaction or irresponsibility.
Too many overlapping and competing posts have been created in the past, with no impact on translating policies into practices. The posts were created for employment and fat salaries, but beyond these, the agencies, old and new, are big disappointment.
In fact, these federal agencies often compete with the state and local agencies for scarce resources. Too many agencies, for instance in the management of natural resources, often render indecisive decision making.
NADMA might be regarded as a coordinating federal agency with the state and local agencies but unfortunately, despite staffing issues, it could not even do simple job.
Its members were not even at the scene in the recent floods. In short, volunteers took over the role of Government agencies and they performed admirably. Ordinary Malaysians, irrespective or race or religion, were there to assist the flood victims.
In the absence of their assistance, the tragedy that struck parts of the country could have been much worse.
Ordinary Malaysians stepped up
The endearing aspect of the tragedy was the fact that ordinary Malaysians braved the rain and ferocious waters to render their assistance. Scenes of non-Muslims cleaning the mosque and university students cleaning up a Hindu temple in Shah Alam augur well for the future of the country.
Politicians, having divided the country on racial and religious lines, were simply no match for the integrative role of ordinary Malaysians. In fact, politicians should learn lessons not so much from the tragedy, but from the humanitarian efforts of ordinary people.
The concerns of humanity clearly overshadowed the narrow sectarian and divisive attitudes of the Government and politicians.
It is only during such natural disasters that ordinary citizens come to know who their friends are and who are not. If such a perception gains ground, then those race baiting politicians who survive and prosper on the use divisive politics might have their days numbered. Natural disasters, despite being tragic, have the tendency to bring out the best in human beings.
On that note, millions or even billions have been poured into the creation of public agencies to manage and mitigate natural disasters in the country. Taxpayers’ hard-earned money has been wasted in the creation of more bureaucracy and high salaries for the staff.
But what is the use? When the floods struck many parts of the country, where were the politicians and bureaucrats?
Ultimately, the flood victims had no choice but to seek the help of ordinary Malaysians. What shame that we live in a country that has too many ministers and high number of public officials. – Dec 25, 2021
Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
