On Monday (July 4), a flash flood in Kedah killed 3 residents, including a pregnant woman, as the waters wiped out several houses entirely.
Although its exact cause is still under investigation, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has openly apologised to all residents affected by the flooding and water surge.
He said that the apology was made on humanitarian grounds and a sense of duty as the head of the state government.
He also added that the apology was on behalf of the current and previous state administrations should there be any mistakes that indirectly could be said to have caused the tragedy that occurred last week.
“As a person, on compassionate reasons….for the present state government, I apologise to all affected residents. No one intended to bring such a tragedy onto anyone but the effects was beyond prediction… it’s no use to be stubborn.”
“When people have already been hit by a disaster – although to us, we have made our best decision,” he explained during a media conference after attending a flood aid presentation at the Baling district office to 17 flood victims who lost their homes in the floods.
The 17 individuals received RM3,000 each to assist with rental and utilities for six months.
However, Muhammad Sanusi also clarified that the apology did not mean that he admitted that all the blame rests on the current state government and was made due to a sense of responsibility towards the state’s population.
“It doesn’t mean I admit to it entirely. No one asked for this to happen, including the tragedy in Gunung Jerai, Yan last year….on behalf of the state government, we apologise because, as the government, we should protect our citizens.”
“We can’t predict that such a thing would happen… we apologise for being unable to protect the people fully,” he said.
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Also read: Flash Flood in Kedah Sweeps 8 Villages, Family Of 3 Washed Away by Floodwaters