RANTAU PANJANG: Unlike other flood victims who have gone to relief centres, Zainab Hussin, chooses not to budge and is staying at her flooded home.
Despite being surrounding by 1.2m-deep floodwaters, the 84-year-old woman is willing to take the risk by remaining at her wooden home in Kampung Lubok Gong here.
When approached by the New Straits Times yesterday evening, Zainab who was sitting at the entrance of her home, she did not want to leave her house because she was afraid burglars would break into her home.
"Makcik tak mahu pindah. Makcik hendak tinggal sini. Makcik bimbang rumah makcik masuk pencuri. (l do not want to move, l want to stay here. I'm afraid someone will break into my home)," she said.
Due to her refusal to move, the mother of nine said her son is accompanying her here while his other family members are at a nearby relief centre.
Zainab is not the only Rantau Panjang flood victim choosing to stay behind at the inundated homes.
The police have confirmed that between three to four home owners have refused to move to relief centres despite their houses being flooded.
Pasir Mas police chief Assistant Commissioner Kama Azural Mohamed said a majority of these victims who were staying put were from villages located near the Golok river.
"These flood victims are mostly elderly people who refused to leave their homes although floodwaters have almost entered their houses.
"We tried persuading them to move many times, but they still refused. For their safety, we have asked their close family members as well as their neighbours to look after them.
"At the same time, our patrol cars will continue monitoring their from time to time to prevent any untoward incidents," he added.