KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor should be back in the flood-hit state with the people, says a member of Parliament.
Worsening floods in Kedah have seen nearly 8,000 people evacuated to temporary flood relief centres, and MP Dr Taufiq Johari said Sanusi, who is on a working visit to Japan, should face the floods with the people.
Taufiq said there was no pressing need for Sanusi to visit Japan to learn about the underground water catchment management system to be built in Langkawi as it was a federal project.
"He should not put the cart before the horse. Even the federal minister (whose purview the project falls under) has not gone to Japan," Taufiq said in a statement.
"As Menteri Besar, he should prioritise being with the people to face the floods."
Taufiq said the people of Kedah were still waiting to know the state government's flood mitigation plans to complement the federal government's efforts.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM13 million allocation for repair works and compensation for damages caused by the floods in Kedah.
Anwar also expressed the federal government's commitment to provide aid for farmers and livestock breeders who suffered losses in the floods.