"All We Can Do Now Is Pray" – Kedah MB Tells Baling Flood Victims To Accept Their Fate
With three deaths caused by massive floods, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said "all we can do now is pray" as even developed nations cannot prevent floods.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 05 Aug 2022, 11:49 AM
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has called on flood victims in a district in his state to accept their fate with an open heart and be grateful for the other blessings granted to them
The Menteri Besar made the statement on a podium at the ceremony of a project to build 12 houses in Desa Keda Sadek, Kupang, a sub-district in Baling, on Wednesday, 3 August, reported New Straits Times.
On 4 July, 12 villages in the area were ravaged by massive floods and three people were killed.
The PAS leader likened the disaster to God's will, citing that even developed countries were unable to prevent flood disasters.
"Besides giving our level best in helping the flood victims to get back to their usual lives, we can only advise them to accept it (the incident) as fate and always be grateful for blessings granted by Allah to them in other sectors," he said as he smirked at the end.
"We were chosen to face this test and let us be His servants that are always grateful for all the blessings bestowed on us throughout our lives."
"There are blessings behind every fate, if we 'redha' (accept with an open heart) and be patient."
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of houses for flood victims in Kampung Iboi, Baling.
Image via Astro Awani (YouTube)After his speech, he continued the sentiment at a press conference, where he called on the people to pray for the district to be protected from further flood disasters
"All we can do now is pray. Even developed nations are unable to prevent floods from happening," he reiterated.
"That is all we can do while the flood mitigation projects in Baling announced earlier by the government are completed."
Speaking to reporters, he also maintained his stand that the Musang King plantation in Gunung Inas did not contribute to the massive floods, reported New Straits Times.
Citing a report by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, he said none of the reservoirs on the Musang King farm had burst, adding that claims made on social media were untrue.
On 4 July, more than 800 houses in 12 villages were affected by the massive floods, making it the worst flood Kupang has ever recorded
Gushing floodwaters swept away 17 houses and seriously damaged 18 others, while over 700 residences suffered minor damage.
Three individuals — a woman, her 14-year-old son, and her pregnant daughter-in-law — were killed in the floods when the water swept away their house in Kampung Iboi.
This is not the first time Sanusi has been embroiled in controversy over his statements or actions
During the peak of the Bendera Putih movement in July last year, he allegedly said his government would not recognise the cry for help under the banner and that his officials would only distribute food aid to those who made complaints through official channels.
A month later, his remark about having enough freezer containers to hold the corpses of those who have died of COVID-19 upset many Malaysians, but defended the statement later, saying it was taken out of context.
Three citizens who criticised him over the remark were arrested and investigated.
Also, in his crusade to push for the legalisation of ketum in March, he said that the Internet is more dangerous than the prohibited substance.
The Kedah Menteri Besar was also found guilty of breaching COVID-19 protocols when he went to test drive a vehicle in June 2021.
