Youth and sports minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu is under fire for holding a ceremony to launch the ministry’s post-flood volunteer squad while thousands of victims were stranded waiting for help.
Former prime minister Najib Razak led the chorus of criticism, telling Faizal, who is popularly known as Peja, that the ceremony was “unnecessary” because it was better to “move and help immediately”.
Social media user Rosmilla Roslan said she had not seen the youth and sports ministry’s (KBS) volunteer squad at any flood location so far. Instead, she praised Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s team, who were quick to go to the ground to extend assistance.
“This Peja (Faizal) just wants publicity,” she said, adding that while she had not seen the volunteer squad in the affected area, Syed Saddiq’s group were already in Sri Muda, Klang, on the night of the floods.
Another netizen, Taifuq Airiz, said Najib’s remark was “true” because it involved a major disaster.
“What DSNR (Najib) said was right. When there are things that need immediate help, we must act fast. We do not want publicity and ‘opportunism’,” he said.
Hazwan Hasanudin, on the other hand, questioned the quality of ministers.
“Everyone (flood victims) is on the roof of their houses. What is the ‘level’ of ministers in Malaysia? Weak,” he said.
“He even had the time to carry out the launching ceremony by booking a ‘backdrop’…(when) the people are barely alive in the water, some are sitting on the roof,” said Jamilah Malek.
Meanwhile, Nuha Fariha urged the government to channel immediate assistance to the flood victims without any ceremony.
“All YBs should rush down…there is no need to get ready and doll up…because they should be worried about the safety of the people.
“The money allocated from the government should be directly channelled to the victims,” she said.
Yesterday, Najib reprimanded the launch of the post-flood volunteer squad by Faizal in conjunction with Bersatu’s annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur. Faizal is the deputy president of Bersatu.
“I think this kind of thing doesn’t need a ‘signboard’ and an official launching ceremony. Move and help immediately,” he said on Facebook.
Najib’s remarks were later shared by Faizal on his Facebook, and the minister agreed that the launch ceremony was not necessary.
“I agree with what Najib Razak said, there is no need for a launching ceremony and also a digital display; this was just to announce the mobilization of post-flood youth volunteers throughout the country.
“KBS Malaysia will improve and correct accordingly,” he said. – FMT