GEORGETOWN: The DAP-led Penang government has drawn flak for allegedly failing to help clean a mosque at Jalan P. Ramlee following Saturday’s floods.
This came after state Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo explained to a group of people that he had no authority to order Penang Island City Council to do so.
Jagdeep, who is DAP assemblyman for Datuk Keramat, allegedly gave a similar answer when people asked him to call the Fire and Rescue Department for help a few days ago.
Angered by his answer, a group of villagers berated him, which they showed on Facebook live under the account of “Jebon Hunter Sr”.
The villagers also questioned his action for spending only 15 minutes to visit the flood-affected area, but allegedly wrote on his Facebook that he had helped in the clean-up exercise at Jalan P. Ramlee.
"You (Jagdeep) came here for 15 minutes only. Tell the truth YB (Yang berhormat - a term normally used for elected representatives).
“When we asked for help, you did not help. Also, it wasn’t you who cleaned up. It was others.
“Yesterday (Sunday) you came for 15 minutes, took some photos and said you helped in the cleaning up. I am not asking you to come into my house. I am asking you to clean the mosque.
“I am not a YB but I have helped in Kampung Dodol. I want to ask you...why you can be asked to clean roads and not mosque?
However, Jagdeep refused to respond and left the scene.
On Sunday, another DAP lawmaker, who was in Kampung Sheikh Yusoff Air Itam following the flood, also earned the people’s wrath.
Bukit Gelugor member of parliament Ramkarpal Singh was chided not only by the residents but also Bukit Gelugor Umno divisional chief Datuk Omar Faudzar, who was in the area.
It started with an unidentified individual who asked Ramkarpal about whose responsiblity it was to deal with their losses.
Ramkarpal was heard mentioning the name of DAP's Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai.
Omar was then said Wong had only visited one house to send food before leaving the area.
"Is this how (you all help the victims). You should go and see," Omar told Ramkarpal, who replied: "I know it's bad."
Omar was then heard raising his voice and said no water jet sets were supplied to the victims to clean up their houses.
"What kind of an administration is this? "Water jet can't supply, food also can't supply. You come to one house, throw food. You think the people are desperate?
"You know, I have to get all the water jet sets for them. Now, who is the governemnt? You or I?
When contacted by the New Straits Times, Ramkarpal said he took no offence about the incident.
He said it was only to be expected of the people who were frustrated with the floods.
"I won' take it personally. I truly understand their sentiment," he said.