The Malaysian Insight

ON December 18,  as Malaysians woke up to news that large parts of the Klang Valley were underwater, many quickly logged into social media to offer help and resources.

Using the #daruratbanjir hashtag, Twitter users were able to mobilise hundreds of volunteers for rescue missions at a speed that put the government agencies to shame.

Many used the platform to also raise funds to help flood victims who had lost everything in the record deluge.

Youth party Muda was among the groups to have harnessed the power of social media to raise manpower and supplies for its disaster relief efforts.

Muda information chief Zaidel Baharuddin credited the party’s internet-savvy leaders and a large online presence for the success.

“Since the party was founded during the pandemic, we were heavily dependent on digital platforms for from conducting meetings to organising ourselves. We were already quite used to utilising quick, economical and efficient online tools to organise our movements remotely,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“It also helps that many of our leaders have a heavy presence online which amplifies our call to action and to a very large audience.”

Muda founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was among hundreds of volunteers on the ground helping the flood victims.

The party raised more than RM1 million for flood relief efforts in the Klang Valley and RM800,000 for victims in Pahang.

The group also recruited thousands of volunteers to help clean up homes in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, and Malacca.

“All Malaysians, as I saw in Shah Alam and Klang, played a role, regardless of age, gender or race. We may have a multitude of problems in Malaysia but when it comes to helping each other in times of need, many of us are willing to extend a helping hand.’

Zaidel acknowledged that politicians on both sides of the divide played a part in relief efforts.

“It may not be good politics, but I would like to also acknowledge other political parties on both the opposition bench and those in government, especially their grassroots members, who did what they could with the little they had.”

While Muda was quick to respond, it faced logistical challenges reaching the areas that were deeply submerged in water.

“Mostly it was the flood itself and the lack of 4x4 vehicles, but we made do with what we had.”

In Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam and in Hulu Langat, the water reached up to the roof, leaving people stranded for days without food, drinking water, and electricity.

NFT community chips in

Muhammad Khairi, 28, who goes by the Twitter handle @RoachPunks, used his extensive network in the blockchain community to raise funds and call for volunteers.

Many who answered the call were strangers, Khairi said.

“I was setting up a team and tweeted about it. Surprisingly Malaysian replied very quickly. Terus on (they immediately agreed to help).

“We mobilised in less than 24 hours. There were 50 amazing souls who volunteered. Every day we meet new faces and yet we are one. (At the) end of the mission we still didn’t know each other’s names.”

Khairi’s team helped out in relief efforts in Taman Sri Muda, Kg Baru Hicom, Batu Belah, Pasang Jawa, Seksyen 23, Aeon Sri Muda, Tadom Hills.

They distributed food, life jackets, solar panels and portable toilets.

The group raised more than RM100,000 for the cause through the sale of non-fungible tokens.

“We also have a donor from Singapore.”

Khairi said the biggest challenge was the lack of electricity.

“(It was) pitch black but the moon shone for us.”

Kitajaga gets on board

The Kita Jaga website, the platform for the white flag movement, added flood relief efforts to its job scope.

It has added a “Banjir Kilat” feature to the app that allows flood victims to ask for what they need and donors to directly respond to the appeal for help.

“We have about 500 people affected by floods requesting for help on the platform while about 100 have indicated their willingness to help,” said Reza Razali, founder of Terato Tech, the company that built the platform.

Most of the requests are for  groceries, household items, medicine, baby care items, personal hygiene products and clothing.

“About 40% of requests have been completed.”

Reza said many of the requests were from Sri Muda, Dengkil and Sepang. Some were from Karak, Bentong and Janda Baik. 

Groups can also use the app to call for volunteers.

“There are 20 NGOs listed on our website. Those who want to volunteer can contact the organisations directly.”

It is also collecting items from the public to be donated via Pusat Pengumpulan, which was launched yesterday.

“It is a distribution point for NGOs to collect and distribute the items to those who need them,” he said.

Continuous heavy rain lashed large parts of the Klang Valley over the December 18 weekend, causing devastating floods, with water reaching up to the roof in some places.

Other states inundated were Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Malacca and Negri Sembilan, with waters reaching up to roof-level.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government has been criticised for its delayed and uncoordiated response to the floods.

More than 43,000 people remain housed in relief shelters nationwide. Forty-seven people were killed in the floods and five others are still missing.  Rescue and clean-up efforts are ongoing. –  December 27, 2021.