When it comes to coordinating disaster relief efforts, timing is of great importance.

WE had unloaded the last bag of foodstuff – actually it was just three litres of water and 12 packets of Ah Seng Penang white curry instant noodles – at an orang asli settlement in Kampung Paya Pelong, Temerloh. I chatted with the two elderly Chinese men who brought me there.

It was heartwarming listening to how much they – Chan Kok Foo and Ng Tge Kiong – cared for the orang asli, even though they themselves were victims of the floods.