PARLIAMENT will hold a special meeting on January 20 to discuss the floods that swept Malaysia in recent weeks.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a statement today.

“The special meeting is in line with Standing Order 11(3) and will discuss the floods, the aid that was given out to victims and long-term flood management measures,” said Ismail Sabri.

He said the government has already advised Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on the special meeting.

“This special meeting is important as it will allow the government to explain its actions and plans to mitigate floods. It is also the best platform for MPs to get more information,” said Ismail.

Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged the government to hold a special Dewan Rakyat session to discuss the floods.

Zahid also said Umno was disappointed with the lack of coordination among relevant agencies in responding to the floods.

“The National Disaster Management Agency was lifeless and very weak in coordinating a response among the relevant agencies, despite the fact it has comprehensive guidelines for flood disaster coordination.”

The Bagan Datuk MP added that the death toll from the floods was the highest compared to other major flood incidents in the country.

According to Bukit Aman’s internal security and public order director Hazani Ghazali, as of yesterday, the floods had claimed 54 lives while two people are still missing.

Selangor recorded the highest number of deaths, with 25 cases, followed by Pahang (21), Kelantan (4), Sabah (3) and Negri Sembilan (1). – January 6, 2022.