MOSCOW, December 26 (Sputnik) — Over 100,000 people have been evacuated due to Malaysia’s worst flooding in decades as the country’s premier Najib Razak is criticized after pictures of him playing golf with US President Barack Obama were published, AFP reports.
The flooding has killed at least five people. According to forecasts, a heavy downpour is expected over the next few days in previously unaffected parts of the country, including the state of Jonor, which neighbors Singapore.
Seasonal flooding in Malaysia occurs every year with tens of thousands of people fored to flee their homes. This year’s disaster has forced authorities to evacuate some 118,000 people in four flood-hit states, according to Bernama state news agency.
Flood waters washed off several roads, and authorities have suspended train services in some of the worst-affected areas. The storms have also hit radio communications.
Some states and districts across Malaysia have cancelled New Year celebration events as a mark of respect to flood victims.
Meanwhile, nearly 100 tourists who were stranded in a remote resort in central Malaysia’s Mutiara Taman Negara Resort were rescued.
Prime Minister Razak called on rescue workers trying to reach flood victims to speed up their efforts to deliver food and water to the affected regions.
"The PM needs time to take a break," Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
Yassin stressed the government had responded appropriately to the crisis, telling the newspaper: "We face floods every year but this is looking to be the worst the country has seen in the last 30 years."
"Unless there was a total breakdown in electricity or water supply, or if the number of evacuees rises to over hundreds of thousands, we will not declare a state of emergency," he added.
