PUTRAJAYA: The swift action by the multi-agency enforcement and rescue teams in tackling the massive floods in Johor received praises from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said he saw good cooperation between the federal and Johor state machineries, adding that they were fast in evacuation efforts and giving aid to those stranded at home.
Anwar, who was in Johor to observe the flood situation yesterday, said his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was also quick to go to the ground.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali was providing daily reports on the situation, he said.
Anwar said he saw the (swift) action of civil servants when he was accompanied by the district officer, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat.
"I am thankful that they did not wait for orders (to act). They know it is flooding and the Armed Forces,too, had speedily built a Bailey bridge.
"When I texted, they said it was in the process of building it, and two days later, it was ready.
"This goes to show there is awareness in all civil servants to do work sincerely and fast. The victims, they are not like us, they cannot afford to wait for (help for days).
"Food and drinks should be sent out within half a day or the most before 24-hours, unless the area is disconnected by floods, it may take a day," he said during the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) monthly assembly at Dewan De' Seri Endon Puspanitapuri,today.
Anwar expressed his gratitude to civil servants in Johor, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu who were involved in flood relief efforts during the assembly.
"I shortened my trip to Johor because I felt Alhamdulillah, they are doing well and I am extremely proud of the performance of the entire team.
"I want to give them my support and encouragement, including to the non-governmental organisations," he said.
Also present at the assembly were deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
Anwar had yesterday visited evacuees at the SK Gemereh and SJK(C) Kampung Tengah flood relief centres in Segamat.
Onn Hafiz had said Anwar gave his commitment to help Johor deal with its worst flooding in years and it included an immediate approval of RM50 million allocation for flood related needs.
This was in addition to the RM10 million allocation announced by Zahid.
Meanwhile, Anwar also cautioned that Sarawak might face floods and he wanted similar proactive and fast action be emulated there.
Fadillah, he said, would be coordinating flood related issues in the state.
"If there are any problems, then it is on him (Fadillah)," joked Anwar.
"But I am confident we will be able to keep up. This means orders (to prepare) must come now, do not wait for the floods to come and wait for instructions.
"The special thing about Johor was, even before the floods struck, the machinery was ready and that had eased relief efforts. I want the same for Sarawak," he said.
JPM, enforcement agencies and the Finance Ministry, he added, need not wait for the full approval of the 2023 Budget to facilitate flood related issues.
This was because the mini budget he had presented in December last year had been partly passed without debate.
"For flood mitigation efforts, go ahead, do not wait. But follow the process through tender but fast tracked," he added.