KUALA KRAI: A large number of people are converging in Kelantan, bringing welcome aid to the flood victims. There’s another large number that is coming in – but they are not welcome.
These are the sightseers who want to see for themselves the scenes of flood devastation, who post selfies and other “I was there” pictures on their Facebook pages or Twitter timelines.
These “disaster tourists” are adding to the woes of the people by coming in large groups and clogging up areas with their vehicles.
They are also getting in the way of services and volunteers who are trying desperately to reach the victims.
Those distributing aid to the flood victims here say their jobs have been hampered by these “sightseers”. “They choke up roads with their cars,” they said.
A military officer, who only wanted to be known as Yan, said the roads in Manek Urai here were congested with casual visitors when priority should be given to vehicles bringing in aid.
“To bring 20 to 30 cars for a visit to the area only worsens the situation,” he said.
“The roads are already congested with victims’ cars as most are covered in mud and debris. These tourists shouldn’t be driving into the rural areas nor be there at all,” the officer said.
The bad traffic flow left volunteer doctor Beh Xi Chin and his team stuck on a bridge for almost three hours.
“People here have lost everything,” he said. “There are some who are doing everything they can to help these people, while there are others who are taking advantage of the situation,” he added.
Dr Beh hoped that the authorities would help control the “unwanted congestion”.
Volunteers from a Malacca-based NGO echoed this sentiment, saying they were shocked with “the mentality of some people”.
“Villagers from other areas came to the affected areas to take away supplies that were meant for the victims,” one of them claimed.
Eighth Army Brigade commander Jen Datuk Azmi Yahya confirmed that there were large numbers of “unwanted tourists”, causing added traffic problems.
“Our work continues, but the process is being slowed because of this,” he said.
Malaysian Red Crescent Society national disaster management committee member James Kon said that people who were not involved in relief efforts should not get in the way.
“They should stay away for now. Some of the roads are not safe as well,” he added.
Twitter user @melatienida, whose parents hail from Kelantan, tweeted a discreetly taken picture of curious onlookers in Kota Baru.
“Banjir (flood) became part of the tourist attraction. People come to this spot just to see it!” she shared.
On Instagram, one user posted a video showing fast-flowing flood waters in Seberang Perak from her account, and included the #mybanjir hashtag: “Trip to see the floods. Oil palm plantation becomes a river. Water rushing past even though it’s blazing hot.”
When another user asked if she was a resident there, she replied she had just travelled from Sitiawan to see the floods for herself.
MCA raises over RM3mil for victims
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has so far raised close to RM3.5mil in aid for victims in flood-hit states, said its president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Apart from the amount – RM2.26mil in funds and RM1.18mil in goods – the party had also sent 500 tonnes of items to the victims, he said.
“We will continue to send more to the affected areas,” he added.
Berjaya Group of Companies was among the latest donors.
Representing its founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Berjaya Corporation Bhd chairman Datuk Robin Tan donated RM300,000 to the Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) for its flood relief efforts.
Mah Sing Foundation, represented by its CEO Ng Chai Yong, handed over RM150,000 worth of goods.
“Now, the funds will be used to rebuild homes and we are moving in more volunteers to assist on the ground,” Liow said at the handing over ceremony of flood disaster assistance at the MCA headquarters here yesterday.
He said CRSM would team up with government agencies to disburse aid and urged Malaysians to support the work of the military and other government agencies to assist the victims.
He said the Cabinet would meet tomorrow to come up with more proposals to help flood victims.
Asked when KTM services to the east coast would be fully restored, Liow, also the Transport Minister, said they were assessing the damage to the railway tracks following the floods.
MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said he had requested damage assessment reports from Chinese new village leaders within 24 hours.
“I have ordered them, together with the village committees to come up with an inventory report on the damage in their villages so we can discuss with the authorities (for assistance),” said Dr Wee, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
He said there were 607 new villages nationwide and the damage assessment had started in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
Dr Wee said MCA was helping flood victims all over the country, including those in the Kota Belud district in Sabah.
“Among our efforts (nationwide) are raising funds for flood victims, collecting clothing as well as donating food,” he said after dialogue sessions with small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Keningau, Tenom and Tambunan on Sunday.
Meanwhile, he reminded SMEs to increase productivity and upgrade goods and services as the industry was an important contributor to the nation’s economy.
He said a Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Entrepreneurs (SAME) had been set up to educate SMEs on the various forms of assistance provided by the Government.
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