PKR rep hopeful state will contribute to flood relief efforts in Penang
KUCHING: Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How has high hopes that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will emulate the spirit of compassion and magnanimity of his predecessor, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, in donating to flood relief efforts in Penang.
See recalled that Adenan was quick to express concern and empathy of all Sarawakians by contributing RM2 million to the national disaster fund – to be channelled to flood victims – when many states in Peninsular Malaysia were affected by serious flooding at the end of 2014, besides donating RM1 million to Sabah for their disaster relief aid in 2015.
“Our present CM appears to be as sensitive and affectionate to the well- being of the people. I am certain that he will soon announce the state’s contribution to help alleviate the predicament of the flood victims,” he said in a press conference here yesterday.
Besides that, See said there is an urgent need for all Members of Parliament to put in a concerted effort to deliberate on solutions to resolve the flooding problem that seems to trouble and torment Malaysians every year.
“I am hoping to see an emergency motion being tabled, during the current sitting of the Parliament, to deliberate and debate on this matter.
“There is a need to revise the budget and allocate more funds to alleviate the problems of flooding including urban flash flood mitigation in every state, including Sarawak.”
He pointed out that the people have yet to see a strong will by national legislators and administrative agencies to solve this long- standing problem of flooding.
“Even with laws, regulations, procedures and promises of international contemporary practices to conserve the environment, control of development consequences and management of water resources, these were largely ignored, unimplemented and were not enforced.
“Take for example the Urban Storm Water Management Manual that was introduced in Peninsular Malaysia in 1989 and Sarawak in 2015; many initiatives are introduced but remain largely futile exercises.”
Present at the press conference were PKR Women national vice president Voon Shiak Ni, PKR Puncak Borneo branch chairman Willie Mongin and PKR Stampin branch deputy youth chief Jeffery Mok.