PASIR MAS - Complaints on flood issues in Pasir Mas a district in Kelantan, specifically in Rantau Panjang have been made to the federal and state governments, but nothing has changed.
A resident there, Rosdi Abdullah, 61, said last year was a bad year for him and his family, as the floods damaged his home at Kampung Lubok Gong Hilir.
"This village is near the riverside of Sungai Golok. Floods in this area started in 1940, but they were not too deep. In 1980, the government raised the road area. So the floodwaters got deeper.
"From 2001 to 2017, the floodwaters gave been getting deeper and deeper due to rapid development," said Rosdi, who is a retired auxiliary police officer.
Rosdi said to overcome this issue the government of the day had developed a flood barrier in Sungai Lanchang, Pasir Mas between the year 2018 to 2019.
"Unfortunately, in 2020, the situation became worse. The flood barrier was full. So the river water from Sungai Tok Uban, Sungai Lanchang, and Sungai Golok filled the dam until it overflowed into this area
"Because of this flood barrier, the whole village and my home were flooded withwaters that rose up to chest level," he added.
On Feb 26, 2022, Rosdi and his family moved to a relative's house because the flood had submerged his home.
"I thought the flood will not occur again. But in Dec 2022 it happened and this time it was very bad." he explained
During this time, he added that many villagers were stranded in their homes, even if the living conditions were not ideal, as there were too many flod victims in the flood relief shelters (PPS).
Speaking of the flood barrier, Rosdi said that the drainage engineers only work in the office; they did not go to the field to see the real area.
"This flood barrier only prevents flooding in the central area of Pasir Mas, but we in Rantau Panjang are facing this problem. They need to go on the ground to see the real situation. They need to conduct more in depth studies on the issues related to the river drainage in Kelantan.
"I accept that natural disasters happen and it is all from Allah; however, with this flood barrier, the flood in Rantau Panjang is getting worse," Rosdi stressed.
Speaking about whether the villagers have complained to the authorities, he further added that they have already complained, but nothing has changed.
In fact, Rosdi added that many villagers have protested several times on this flood embankment issue, but still no action has been taken.
"Whether it is the state government or the central government, it is just the same, nothing has changed. It is true that this issue has been brought before Parliament, but, until now, we are still waiting."
"I hope that the government takes action quickly. Now that we have entered March 2023, we may face a flood season at the end of the year. We are running out of time.
"Please act quickly and do not neglect the Kelantan people, especially the Rantau Panjang residents. There are a lot of poor people here."
Rosdi added that the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had visited the village area, and he said he would try to curb this flooding problem, at this point the villagers are just hoping for the best.
Rosdi also expressed his hope for members of the media to come to Rantau Panjang to expose to the people and the authorities of the real situation that the villagers are facing, with the hope of overcoming these flood issues.
"I have media rarely comes to the Rantau Panjang area, so with Sinar Daily, I hope the authorities will know how we are doing," he added.