Terengganu MB says sorry for being away during floods

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu Mentri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has apologised for being away during the critical phases of the floods that hit the state.

He said no excuses can justify his absence and admitted that he was also monitoring the floods from overseas.

“I understand that whatever I say now, they will not mean anything.

“However, I just want to put it on record that I was monitoring the flood situation, and I decided to travel overseas when there were signs of the floods receding (after the first phase from Dec 8 to 17).

“It is unfortunate that the floods peaked when I was overseas (on Dec 18 to 21),” he said in a video of the press conference posted on his Facebook page.

He said he had already visited flood victims during the first phase of floods on Dec 9 and 10.

Samsuri added that the state government along with the relevant agencies began preparing for the floods months ago.

“When the floods struck, we discussed and observed the river’s condition real-time through CCTV and other equipment to monitor the river level, logistics issues and any other issues.

“Even during my absence on Dec 18 to 21, I was communicating with the relevant agencies for updates. Matters that did not require my authority as mentri besar were handled by the heads of the respective agencies every day,” he said adding that he was also available, discussing matters with state exco and making decisions from overseas.Meanwhile, Samsuri also announced an incentive of RM1,000 cash aid to heads of households who are registered as victims of the flood and RM10,000 for those who lost their loved ones to the floods.

He said the state government will also decide on giving out other aids such as fixing damaged houses and rebuilding destroyed houses.

However, Samsuri admitted that there were some shortcomings in flood management due to the extreme flood situation, including delays for victims in receiving food packs and issues concerning victims relocating between relief centres.“I would like to apologise to my people for our shortcomings. We will fix the situation in the near future,” he said.

Earlier this week, Samsuri was under fire as some claimed that he was on a trip to Auckland with his family when Terengganu was hit by massive floods.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Adam had claimed that Samsuri and his family were on vacation in New Zealand.

Pictures of his flight itinerary and car booking in Auckland also made the rounds on social media.

State disaster committee deputy chairman Hanafiah Mat however said flood management in Terengganu remained unaffected even when Samsuri was not in the state.

As of this morning, more than 25,000 flood victims in Terengganu had been placed in 181 relief centres.