ALOR STAR: Kedah Pas defended Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's work visit to Japan while the state experienced big floods.
State Pas commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yahaya said the menteri besar's programme in Japan had been planned months ago. He said when Sanusi returned from the trip, he hit the ground running by visiting temporary flood relief centres today.
He stressed that Sanusi's absence did not prevent relevant agencies and volunteers from assisting flood victims.
"Even if the menteri besar is around floods can still happen. Even if the Prime Minister is around, a flood will still happen.
"There are agencies involved in flood relief management such as the Fire and Rescue Department and police. Party leaders are also ready to lend a hand.
"To activate the relief centres, there are guidelines at the district office- and penghulu-level. All these agencies are ready whenever the need arises," he told a press conference at the Pokok Sena Pas office here today.
He said leaders such as the prime minister and menteri besar, as well as party leaders, have their respective pre-planned schedules.
Ahmad, who is Pokok Sena member of parliament, said the disaster should not be turned into something political because all quarters should serve the people.
"After the Pas annual assembly, some leaders headed straight to carry out duties in the Mahkota by-election campaign but suddenly the floods happened here. Our schedule was already fixed, but should we leave everything and rush home?"
He said he trusted the capabilities of rescue teams when it came to flood relief and he said their work continues with or without the presence of top party leaders.
Ahmad, who is the national Pas Ulama wing chief, acknowledged the efficiency of all agencies in disaster management because the work was supported by federal agencies.
He said whenever Pas leaders are around, they will go to the ground.
"In fact, upon his (Sanusi's) arrival from overseas last night, the menteri besar immediately visited flood evacuees at the Bukit Hijau relief centre and Maahad Derang."
He said disasters were an opportunity for everyone to put polutics aside and help one another.
"Disaster is not for political interests. When disaster strikes, it provides an opportunity for us to help each other.
"Make disaster as a platform for us to render help and do good deeds. Don't turn it into something where we commit sin," he said.
Yesterday, Pakatan Harapan's Sungai Petani MP Dr Taufiq Johari issued a statement calling for Sanusi to return to be with the people in flood-ravaged areas.
He had said there was no pressing need for Sanusi to visit Japan to learn about the underground water catchment management system to be built in Langkawi as it was a federal project.