No need to declare climate emergency yet, Saifuddin says on floods

The floods which have hit several states in the country do not warrant the government declaring a climate emergency yet, says Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said there are certain processes and evaluations that have to be carried out before such a declaration can be made.

"For the moment, there is no need to declare a climate emergency because the situation (flooding) is still under control.

"On the whole, the flood operations are under control and running well, with reports submitted regularly including during yesterday's Cabinet meeting," he told a press conference after handing over aid to flood victims at a relief centre in Alor Pasir, Tanah Merah, today.

Also present were Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Kelantan police chief Muhamad Zaki Harun.

It was previously reported that Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had filed an emergency motion under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2) with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, asking the Dewan Rakyat to declare a climate emergency and discuss immediate flood mitigation measures to minimise the damage to the country, especially along the east coast of the peninsula.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said he had provided additional air assets for Kelantan and Terengganu.

"The additional air assets that I have requested from the police force are two units for Kelantan and one unit in Terengganu," he added.

He also advised residents in flood-affected areas to cooperate with the authorities.

"If you are instructed to evacuate, don’t delay because it could be life-threatening," he said.