Mud flood victims break fast, celebrate Father’s Day
RANAU: Some 50 mud flood victim families broke fast and celebrated Father’s Day at the Kundasang Community Hall on Sunday.
Although still faced with their predicaments, the ‘fathers’ still managed to put up a smile when they and their families ‘buka puasa’ with volunteers from Pro-Barisan Nasional (Pro-BN), Penyokong Pekembang Malaysia (KPPM) and Kelab Activist Umno Malaysia (KAUM).
While the meals were simple, namely kurma, rendang, rice and some vegetables, the flood victims were however grateful to the three organizations.
Pro-BN president Zulkarnain Mahdar said the nongovernmental organization and its two clubs have been collecting donations specifically for the flood victims since Friday.
“We managed to collect dozens of boxes of kurma and mineral water for the flood victims.
“The donations were mostly made by members of the public at the city mosque during Friday’s prayer.
“We then made our way to the Kundasang Community Hall on Saturday and distributed the food and drinks to the victims.
“We stayed with the victims for a couple of days and tried to help them in anywhere we can by cooking for them and giving them encouragement,” he told The Borneo Post in a telephone interview from Ranau.
Zulkarnain said he was happy to see many people from all walks of life, including government servants and NGOs, coming together to give a helping hand to the flood victims without thinking of race, religion or even political views.
“I am very happy and grateful to see everybody, regardless of race, religion or political views came to help our brothers and sisters who are in need of of help.
“I thank them generosity.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to the state government
for their for its swift action during this time of crises,” he added.
Zulkarnain was, however, disappointed with the opposition parties for manipulating the actual situations at the relief center.
“The opposition parties are only good at making accusations and manipulations.
“They claimed that food and drinks were kept and not distributed to the flood victims, help was slow, and the government was not doing anything for the victims.
“I’m here and I’m looking at the actual situation with my own eyes and I can tell you right now that is all lies.
“Yes, the food and drinks, which were donated by the government, NGOs and members of the public, were collected and placed at one side to be distributed equally with other relief centers.
“We cannot just concentrate on one relief centre, there are two more relief centers that also need help and we cannot ignore them,” he said, referring to the Ranau Community Hall and Marakau Community Hall relief centers.
According to Zulkarnain, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun has been on the ground and visiting all families at the three relief centers since the evacuation began.
“Besides Masidi, Upko (United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation) members have been working round the clock to care and ensure the victims’ well-being is being taken care of.
“So for the opposition parties to say that the government is not doing anything for the victims, I urge them to think and do your research before making any accusation.
“Instead of making false accusation, they should put politics aside and work together for the victims in time of crises,” he added.