Malaysian Parliament to Discuss Flooding
Malaysia’s parliamentary lower house—the Dewan Rakyat—will meet today to discuss the recurring floods which have wrought havoc on most of the nation.
Beginning in mid-December, the floods have so far displaced over 100,000 people. This is the worst flooding Malaysia has seen in decades, causing more than $1 billion in damage and killing over 50 people.
Members of parliament and the Prime Minister will discuss how to help those who were displaced by the floods and long-term strategies to mitigate the damages of future floods. Nevertheless, many consider the Prime Minister’s response to the floods to be lacking. Critics feel Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob let local governments and non-profits shoulder all the relief efforts and has refused to acknowledge his own negligence.
Due to the failures of the federal government, many politicians will likely fight for greater protocols to create a more swift federal response next time. Additionally, people will look for the federal government to spearhead improvements in the infrastructure of the localities that are most vulnerable to the floods. Ismail Sabri Yaakob is a controversial politician who came to office as the result of a power struggle and could serve as an impediment to greater reforms.
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