KUALA LUMPUR: When floodwaters cut off roads and made boats too dangerous, Malaysian rescuers used shipping containers to evacuate stranded citizens.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told Parliament that many Malaysians were moved from Hat Yai recently using shipping containers.
He said they were packed together like a human convoy as smaller vehicles and buses could not pass the flooded roads.
“Yesterday, we sent many Malaysians back, but if anyone complains, I must apologise. We had to use containers because the roads were impassable,” he added.
“The water was too high for vehicles or even boats, so we used containers to move people safely to Bukit Kayu Hitam,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 27).
The containers carried groups through flooded areas when all other options were blocked.
Mohamad said that on Thursday with waters starting to recede, buses can now be used for evacuations.
He said the container operation had been a critical lifeline in the worst hit areas.
“This is not just about Malaysians. We are also helping people from Brunei, Singapore and other countries stranded in the floods,” he added.
He urged Malaysians planning trips to Thailand during the monsoon to postpone travel, as heavy rain and the northeast monsoon are expected to continue until the end of December.
Mohamad was responding to Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) on immediate efforts to assist Malaysians stranded in southern Thailand.
She also asked about preventive measures with the region entering its flood season.
