Learn by example, says DPM
‘Take pointers from Holland on ways to overcome floods’
BAGAN SERAI: The government will learn from Holland on the best method of handling the floods in this country, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also chairman of the central disaster committee, said the country famous for its tulips was chosen as a role model because it is situated below sea level.
Dr Wan Azizah also wanted state governments and relevant authorities at the district level make longterm mitigation plans to overcome flood problems.
She added the government must fully exploit places or buildings that are not utilised to be turned into temporary evacuation centres (PPS).
“We don’t want to disturb students (when schools are being used as PPS). There are many place avenues that can be explored.
“We also have to think of the sewage system at the PPS as there is that fear of disease when too many flood victims converge at one place,” she told reporters after observing the flood evacuation centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Changkat Lobak here yesterday.
The PPS at SK Changkat Lobak was opened since Oct 21 and as at 12.45pm yesterday, 149 victims from 35 families had been placed at the school.
During the half-an-hour visit, Dr Wan Azizah spent some time with flood victims, including a woman who had recently given birth, Roshida Roslan.
The Deputy Prime Minister also held Roshida’s baby, Nuradriana Sofia Muhamad Zaikri who is about a week old.
Roshida, 31, said the experience after delivering the baby this time was rather memorable because she did not expect her second child to become popular.
“I did not expect my daughter to appear on television, the press and many other social media and meet the Deputy Prime Minister,” said Roshida who was evacuated to the PPS on Oct 25, one day after delivering her daughter.