Set aside political 'colour' in dealing with floods

KUALA LUMPUR - The government has never practiced favouritism in distributing flood aid to the people, including in states governed by the opposition.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that any political differences must be put aside to ensure that the affected people receive appropriate assistance.

"We never play favourite, just that prejudice (from some parties) are often thrown to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), not me," he said.

"I think that in dealing with the flood issue, we should put aside different political views for the sake of the people and the areas that are often affected by floods (and) we will coordinate," he said at the Dewan Rakyat here, today.

He said this when answering a supplementary question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN - Rantau Panjang) who asked when will the allocation of the flood relief aid to the people in her area would be distributed.

Commenting further, Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister said the process of distribution of flood aid was currently underway and the affected victims will receive it in the near future.

Zahid at the same time also praised the good cooperation by Kelantan Chief Minister Datuk Ahmad Yakob during his visit to the state during the recent flood season.

"Thank you Kelantan Menteri Besar, I went there twice and he was with me, maybe the Terengganu Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar) didn't have the chance because he was busy abroad," he said.