PENGKALAN CHEPA: Evacuees at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Chepa were delighted to see Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at the relief centre.
He spent some time talking to evacuees as he presented aid to the over 3,000 people, displaced by the flood..
Some of them, such as wheelchair bound Shamsuddin Othman, 58, looked close to tears as they shared their experience with the Umno vice president.
Shamsuddin's story of how the flood waters were neck high outside his home in Kampung Pong kandih left Hishammuddin visibly moved.
"He advised us to stay strong and pledged that the government and army would continue to help us," said Shamsuddin as Hishammuddin posed for photographs with the rest.
Hishamuddin also visited the makeshift kitchen at the evacuation centre where volunteers have been working tirelessly for the past five days.
In a simple yet touching gesture, the volunteers served the Defence Minister with the East Coast's famous keropok lekor.
Hishamuddin talked to them and thanked them for their efforts.