The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIANS are moving quickly to assist those in need, as the flooding in the east coast continues to displace thousands of families.

Several civil society groups and individuals have come together to start collecting the much needed aid such as food items, medicine and help in the clean-up efforts for the flood victims.

They said although the government was helping provide relief, past experience showed there was always some shortage.

Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said the group, under its Disaster Operations Management Centre (Sanggar Bakti) has sent its first team to Terengganu and Kelantan from Wednesday and they will remain there till Sunday. 

He said their first team consists of seven officers with two four-wheel drive vehicles and a van. 

“This operation involves the distribution of food as well as cleaning and house washing products in the Besut area.  

“The team is assisted by activists and volunteers from Abim branches in Terengganu and Kelantan.”

He said as of yesterday, 250 food packets, 24 bottles of one litre multipurpose detergent from Teepol and 2,160 sanitary pads have been distributed to Gong Badak residents. 

He said they spent as much as RM30,000, where Sanggar Bakti received items in the form of clothes, cleaning tools, food and cash donations from the public. 

“Up to now according to information from tabungbencana.com, the collected donations amount to RM13,409.  

“Sanggar Bakti needs items catering to needs of women and children, food, hygiene kits, blankets, blankets, pillows, dry food, mineral water.” 

The areas they are going to in Terengganu are Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Berang, Kemaman and Besut, while in Kelantan they will be going into Machang, Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang. 

Fisabillah Terengganu civil society representative Muhammad Syariezal Ab Rashid said his team will start mobilising aid tomorrow with a focus at Paka district. 

“Actually, during the first wave of floods last month, we had already mobilised aid.

“So for the second wave, Paka is the first area we are going into. We will help distribute bread and water. We will also bring rice packets for 200 people,” he said. 

Syariezal said their priority was to identify accessible areas and the form of help needed by the flood victims. 

This, he said, is to ensure that every aid is extended properly and meets the needs of the flood victims, not just giving out goods or food that are impractical. 

He added that Fisabillah, which started operating in 2016, is undertaking a donation drive for flood victims.

“We really hope for donations from the public. It will be of great help to the flood victims.” 

Those who are interested in contributing can donate to Fisabillah’s Maybank account at 5630 6415 8179.  

Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Pembangunan Insan Seri Qiyam secretary Mohd Zulfadzli bin Abdul Halim said they planned to enter Pasir Mas in Kelantan and Besut, Terengganu next week. 

He said they will be deploying three buses of volunteers once they get the go-ahead from the National Security Council. 

“We plan to enter the affected areas when residents are given the green-light to go home. 

“Initially we will have teams to scout the area before we send more volunteers for clean-up missions. 

“We are looking at Pasir Mas dan Besut but of course this may change depending on our scout team’s findings.” 

Zulfadzli said their team also comprises other civil society groups who are sharing resources and manpower. 

“These volunteers will focus on clean-up work. There will be other efforts planned to send supplies for school kids who will start their sessions in January.” 

He said they have collected dry foods, used clothes but need cash so they can buy essential items for those in dire need. 

“Currently we have around RM5,000. We need around RM40,000 for different phases (cleaning, essential items, other goods), including sponsoring school uniforms, books and stationeries for school kids.” 

Those interested can donate to its Maybank account at 5622 0965 3700 Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Pembangunan Insan Seri Qiyam.

As for Kuala Terengganu hotel owner Hafizatul Najmi Pizat, 33, he has already started distributing food packs such as bread and water to flood victims in the area. 

Hafizatul said he had mobilised aid since yesterday to badly affected villages in Besut as soon as flood waters receded. 

“Kampung La, Kampung Keruak are among of the worst affected areas, where their houses were destroyed. 

“So as soon as the floods receded, we accessed the area yesterday. We give first aid and about 300 packs of bread and water.” 

He said that it was not feasible to give bags of rice or wet food as they had lost their homes and cooking essentials.  

“So we decided to buy dry food that can be eaten immediately,” he said. 

Terengganu saw a drop in the number of flood evacuees yesterday – from 36,231 in the morning to 33,942 in the evening.

There was also a drop in the number of those seeking shelter at relief centres in Kelantan yesterday – from 30,115 in the morning to 25,755 in the evening. 

Hafizatul said it has become a norm for him and his friends each year to contribute aid to flood victims in Terengganu, using their own funds.

“The funds are all our own. It has become a routine each year to help the flood victims. We usually go to Hulu Terengganu because that’s where the flooding is the worst. 

“However, this is the first time we have sent aid to Besut, because before the area was fine, but now it has been badly hit by floods,” he said. – December 23, 2022.