As MetMalaysia has sent out alerts of thunderstorm and floods including flash floods striking Malaysia, this signals a grave danger for Malaysians who are required to travel in their own private cars, in public transportation or even to walk to voting centres to cast their votes should flash floods strike during the forthcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
We have read in the news of a father and son who were drowned while wading through a flooded football field in Mentakab. Witnesses had alerted the authorities claiming they saw a man and a child braving the floods and later being swept away by the rapid currents before they disappeared; a factory operator was found dead nearly three hours after he was reported to have fallen from his motorcycle while attempting to ride through floodwater on a road near a Chinese cemetery in Gambangan near Kuantan. According to witnesses, he tried to ride through the rushing water there at 11.30 am before he fell when his motorcycle went out of control and he was swept away by strong currents. Several people nearby tried to rescue him but failed because of the very strong currents.
And though many may feel that driving in a four wheel drive or MPV would protect them from dangers of floods, this is sadly not true as news had reported that the body of a man, who was reported missing after the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) he was travelling in with a friend was swept away by floodwaters towards a river in Kampung Cempaka near Kuantan was found. The driver attempted to drive through the raging floodwaters but his vehicle was pushed by strong currents towards the road shoulder before it entered Sungai Cempaka. The driver drowned but his passenger managed to break the car window before swimming towards the riverbank and was rescued by villagers.
Sadly, politicians have again overlook this grave reality in favour of their political ambitions.
As the Sabah’s State election which had escalated COVID-19 infections and deaths, will the staging of the GE15 amid the dreadful monsoon season escalate Malaysia’s death toll from year-end flood and thunderstorm?
Below are some recommendations for Malaysia:
1. Upon the dissolution of the Parliament, a caretaker Government (made up of the incumbent government) is expected to take over to govern the country with limited authority, including no new legislation to be passed and no new policies to be signed by any ministers. However the Chief Secretary to the Government will continue to steer the civil service.
In view of the impending thunderstorm and floods expected soon and that past record showed Malaysia was ill-prepared for the December 2021 flood, we appeal to the interim Government to develop new effective policies and programmes to enhance the nation’s capabilities in disaster management.
2. With the campaign period being the period between the nomination date and the polling date, this means those activities will be organised within the period coinciding with the more destructive second wave floods.
Thus we appeal to the interim Government and the Chief Secretary to the Government to allocate and designate sufficient, capable and experienced manpower and experts to organise and support disaster management efforts to ensure the impending disaster will be well-managed.
3. Political parties and their team should obtain latest information from relevant authorities regarding flood risk areas to avoid organising campaigns and polling in these risky and dangerous areas. Adhere always to avoiding flood hotspots as per advice of Deputy Director-General of National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) at the National Climate Forum.
4. In 2019 and 2020, the New South Wales SES launched their Floods. The Risk is Real campaign to increase flood awareness in the region. The campaign personalises the message by using billboards with local landmarks showing flood can occur in that specific area. This campaign also incorporates interactive flood mapping and augmented reality to show people what can happen when flood strikes.
Thus in addition to the political parties focus of putting up posters and billboards to showcase their candidates, efforts must also be undertaken to put up billboards with local landmarks showing flood can occur in that particular area and location.
5. Many International organisations responsible for disaster management such as that in Australia, UK and the US have sent out alerts regarding what to do before, during and after floods to guide its citizens on the appropriate and timely action and responses to enhance their safety and survival.
Malaysia’s caretaker Government should accord similar priority with the support of NADMA, local and state agencies plus the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia to disseminate what should and should not be done during these periods via as many communication channels and languages as possible.
6. It has been globally recognised that highest deaths from flood are attributed to driving in flood waters followed by deaths from walking in and near flooded areas (see Fig 1 and Fig 2).
Thus the Government must prepare and provide posters, TV adverts, alerts and news articles to highlight these dangers such as that advocated by the CDC, Smart Driving UK, Autocar India, RSA and the American Safety Council.
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