Traces Of The Malaysian Flash Flood: Sultan Abdullah And The Queen Also Help The People

JAKARTA - The Malaysian people have experienced the pain of being victims of flash floods at the beginning of the new year 2021. The flood hit many states, from Pahang to Sabah. Dozens of people died, tens of thousands of people fled.

This condition was exacerbated by the spread of the corona virus. In particular, the Malaysian people are not alone. The ruler of Malaysia, who was ordered by Agong Sultan Abdullah and his assistant, Tunku Azizah, went directly to help the people. Sultan meets the needs of the refugees. The queen cooks in the public kitchen.

Flash floods do not always occur in Indonesia. Neighboring countries, Malaysia also often feel the same way. Take for example the neighboring country that was hit by flash floods in the new year 2021.

The floods hit several states in stages. Among others, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Malacca, Land of Nine, and Sabah. High rainfall because climate change is considered the culprit. As a result, the flood was considered the worst flood in recent decades.

Floods also claimed lives to reach tens of people. Those who fled reached tens of thousands and those affected by the flood reached hundreds of thousands of people. This problem was then exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which was being violent.

The evacuation center is seen as being able to lead to cases of transmission of the new virus from Wuhan. Moreover, the government is considered slow in distributing aid because many road access has been cut off. Some areas cannot be accessed via land.

Badan Nasional penanggulangan Bencana Malaysia sampai kelimpungan dalam mengevakuasi warga yang terjebak banjir. Meski mereka menggunakan alat berat. Namun, sekali lagi kegiatan evakuasi bukan hal yang mudah.

This condition made Malaysians condemn the government of the Prime Minister (PM), Muhyiddin Yassin, who did not move quickly. The government is considered negligent about the fate of the Malaysian people who have been in refugee camps for days, lack of food, medicine, and are threatened with the corona virus.

"We are very concerned about the safety and welfare of more than 50,000 people who have been evacuated and submerged in this devastating flood amid the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. This flood is getting worse every hour, turning most areas into inland seas," said Secretary General of Honorary Crescent Red Crescent Malaysia, Judge Hamzah as quoted by the AlJazeera page, January 9, 2021.

The Malaysian government, which is not optimal in dealing with floods, is in the spotlight. The Malaysian people need food and medicine assistance in various Temporary Shelters (PPS). Moreover, flood victims spread in several states.

Yang Dipertuan Agong Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah danpemerannya, Tunku Azizah pun disinggil. Mereka bergerak sambil memberikan contoh kepada PM Malaysia dan jajarannya, termasuk politikus terkait membantu korban banjir.

Sultan Malaysia then chose to penetrate the flood in Acheh Village, Pahang on January 14, 2021. He penetrated the flood using a canoe, then a motorbike. At that time, the Malaysian Sultan wore a navy-like uniform and glasses.

The arrival of the Sultan of Malaysia and his entourage brought a stir because they did not expect a sultan to go in and out of the village. Instead of only bringing aid, the Sultan of Malaysia and his entourage also made donations. He also had time to joke with the children who were victims of the flood.

Sultan Abdullah also actively noted what flood victims needed and he promised to send the necessary assistance as soon as possible. It's different from Sultan Abdullah, it's different from the Azizah Tungku.

The queen was actually busy helping affected residents in public kitchens. He helped cook for the needs of the refugees. Many of the two actions were immortalized by local residents.

As a result, the video of Sultan Abdullah's visit went viral everywhere. The Sultan's action also received appreciation from here and there. In fact, not a few of them also compared Sultan Abdullah's breakthrough with Malaysian PM Muhyiddin and other Malaysian politicians.

"The departure of the two of them reflects the dedication and high concern for the two of them for flood victims who need assistance," said the statement of the State Palace as reported by Antara, January 14, 2021.