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KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s commendation of the Keluarga Malaysia spirit during the recent flood tragedy has garnered a series of mixed reactions.
Taking to Twitter, the Bera MP expressed his gratitude towards all those involved in the flood relief efforts, including security agencies, civil servants, NGOs, volunteers and other individuals who took part in various missions.
“The year 2021 saw Malaysia gradually recovering from the Covid-19 outbreak. From the pandemic phase, we are now moving towards endemic,” he said in a series of tweets today.
“Towards the end of 2021, Keluarga Malaysia was tested with a rather extraordinary flood disaster in several states.
“However, beyond the catastrophe, I saw the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia – togetherness.”
Namun, di sebalik musibah banjir ini saya melihat semangat Keluarga Malaysia - Kebersamaan.
— Ismail Sabri (@IsmailSabri60) January 1, 2022
Saya ucapkan terima kasih kepada agensi2 keselamatan, penjawat awam, pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO), sukarelawan serta individu yang membantu dalam misi bantuan banjir dan pasca banjir. pic.twitter.com/ddziikQCXQ
The prime minister’s tweets were met with mixed reactions, with some thanking him for the aid provided, while the others appear more critical of his handling of the flood disaster.
One user @FitriAmer1 said: “Thank you PM and all security agencies and others who have helped in providing assistance to flood victims. May your work be eased.”
Alhamdulillah.. terima kasih kpd PM.. kpd semua anggota keselamatan dan semua yg membantu serta memberi bantuan kpd mangsa banjir.. semoga semua yg terlibat dipermudahkan urusan mereka..
— Fitri Amer (@FitriAmer1) January 1, 2022
Users @thaqifhusaini96 and @JasSalleh similarly expressed their gratitude to Ismail Sabri for the initiatives taken by the government.
Meanwhile, user @JamrenOtol described the announcement of flood assistance made by Ismail Sabri as “syok sendiri” (being self-indulgent), and instead urged for his resignation.
“You are the most failed prime minister in defending the people’s fate,” he said, while another user @dhillonkevin said: “You are not my family... you never will be.”
You are not my family ....you never will be
— House Of DIO (@dhillonkevin) January 1, 2022
Another user @babypandasas posted: “You just stay away from the people. They don’t want more trouble in their lives, including you.”
You just stay awqy from people. They dont want more troubles in their luves including you. #TalibanGovt suits you.
— A Revolutionary. (@babypandasas) January 1, 2022
Many others are also urging the prime minister to allow flood victims to withdraw funds from their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) accounts in a bid to cushion the financial impact of the disaster.
Ismail Sabri’s remark comes amid brewing frustration against the slow response by the government in acting on the flood, since it wreaked havoc in major parts of the country two weeks ago.
His government has been on the firing line of public backlash over their delayed reaction to the disaster, which saw many ordinary Malaysians taking it upon themselves to assist victims.
Yesterday, in his New Year’s Eve national address, Ismail Sabri announced more assistance to flood victims, which could see some heads of households getting aid of up to RM61,000.
Apart from the RM1,000 cash aid announced previously, the government will also offer cash vouchers of up to RM500 to purchase electronic items, while more financial aid will be given to repair damaged houses.
Ismail Sabri had said that RM5,000 will be given to each affected household to repair less serious damages, RM15,000 for serious damages, and up to RM56,000 in costs for each new housing unit. – The Vibes, January 1, 2022