THE Penang government today said it is unacceptable for disaster relief centres under the Welfare Department’s supervision to have no food supply for almost two months before the state was hit by flash floods recently.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the centres must at least have a minimal stock, and not be empty.

“The delay by the federal government in sending supplies is not acceptable.

“The state will make sure there is a minimal stock if the supplies from the federal government don’t arrive.

“We hope the federal government can hasten the delivery of the supplies and not leave the centres empty for two months,” he said in his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly.

The issue was raised by health exco Dr Afif Bahardin yesterday in the House.

Lim, who is also DAP’s Air Putih assemblyman, said the system to ensure that the centres were adequately stocked to deal with disasters and emergencies must be improved.

He said welfare exco Phee Boon Poh would see to the matter, together with the state Welfare Department.

The record rainfall and strong winds on November 4 and 5 caused flash floods and landslides, and uprooted trees across the state.

The floods were the state’s worst in 30 years. More than 12,500 people were evacuated from their homes. – November 14, 2017.