Najib Razak says it is important to prioritise safety and welfare of people
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has been reminded to scrutinise proposed development projects before approving them to avert natural disasters such as floods.
Prime Minister Najib Razak said the approval of development projects must also be given in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the authorities.
“Any development project that needs to be undertaken must follow the rules so that it does not adversely affect the environment and worsen the situation.
“The federal government will discuss with the Penang government about this as it is important to prioritise the safety and welfare of the people,” he told a press conference after visiting the flood relief centre at Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR) Ar Ridwan, in Tasek Gelugor, here, today.
Present were the prime minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim.
Najib urged the Penang government to consider the views of NGOs if they would bring benefit to all parties.
Several NGOs had urged the Penang government to scrap development projects on hill slopes.
On the floods, Najib said he was satisfied with the role played by the state government and its agencies, which are working closely with the federal government to tackle the problem.
“This close collaboration resulted in proper flood relief work.
“All parties are working round the clock to assist the flood victims and this has been acknowledged by the chief minister,” he said, adding that good relations during a disaster should be emulated by all parties.
Najib said the Penang government, in a briefing to him, had said it needed a RM1 billion allocation to implement 13 large and small projects to alleviate floods.
The federal government has approved a RM150 million allocation for flood mitigation under the third phase of the Sungai Pinang Basin project.
He said the federal government would not neglect Penang and would continue to channel aid, just like they did when Kelantan was hit by floods.
“We will look at our financial situation and will help the state government to implement these (flood-mitigation) projects,” he said.
He also urged the public not to throw garbage into ditches as this would clog up the drains and cause floods.
Najib said the recent floods was due to the heavy rainfall and also poor human attitude.
“The rainfall on Sunday was equivalent to one month’s rainfall. Just like other countries, we are not spared natural disasters. The federal government will continue to protect the people,” he added.
At the event, Rosmah, who is the president of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia, handed over RM50,000 for the flood victims and RM60,000 to the National Security Council (Penang).
Meanwhile, the number of flood victims evacuated to relief centres in Penang has increased to 7,294 people from 1,774 families as of noon from 6,080 people from 1,572 families this morning.
A police flood operations room spokesman said up till noon today, all of the victims were placed at 50 relief centres in four districts in the state.
RM1.04 billion spent on Penang flood mitigation, says minister
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