(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Malaysia's worst flooding in decades forced some 118,000 people to flee as Premier Najib Razak came under fire after photos showed him golfing with US President Barack Obama during the storms.
At least five people have been killed by the rising waters and there appeared little respite on the way yesterday, with forecasters predicting further heavy rainfall across unaffected southern parts of the country.
As local media carried photographs of people wading through flood waters as deep as two metres and entire houses submerged by rising water, the government faced criticism for not declaring a state of emergency to help devastated communities.
Seasonal flooding hits Malaysia every year and forces tens of thousands from their homes, but the latest round has forced authorities to evacuate around 118,000, mostly in the northeast, state news agency Bernama reported.
Rising flood water has rendered roads unusable and authorities have suspended train services in some of the worst-affected areas. Communications have been badly hit.
Military officials said additional helicopters from Kuala Lumpur were sent yesterday to deliver medical supplies, food and drinking water to victims.
Around 100 tourists stranded in a remote resort in central Malaysia's Mutiara Taman Negara Resort were rescued and sent to a relief centre.
Razak called on rescue workers trying to reach victims to step up their efforts to deliver food and water. But he came under fire when photos emerged of him playing golf with Obama in Hawaii, with Malaysians questioning why he was not at home to deal with the crisis in posts on his official Facebook page.
Critics also charged his government with failing to respond quickly, with some lambasting authorities for not declaring a state of emergency in the worst-hit regions.
"The PM needs time to take a break," Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
Yassin insisted the government had responded appropriately to the flooding. "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."
The government said Razak had decided to cut short his year-end vacation and return today to oversee rescue operations.
He is expected to land in Kelantan, one of the most severely-hit states, meet people and discuss measures with authorities to help victims.
"I am deeply concerned by the floods. I feel for the people who have lost their homes, and the families who have lost loved ones," he said in a statement. "I want to see the situation and be with the people."
The Malaysian Meteorological Department warned of a heavy downpour over the next few days in parts of the country so far spared the worst of the flooding, including the southern state of Johor, which neighbours Singapore. Some states and districts across Malaysia have decided to cancel New Year celebration plans as a mark of respect for victims.
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