By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, Jan 20 — National leaders who are on holiday abroad should immediately return home when a tragedy befalls the people, including disasters such as the major floods on December 18 last year, said Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Without mentioning any individuals by name, he expressed disappointment over the fact that many ministers were not present during the floods, and assumed they had shirked their responsibilities.
“Many ministers went missing and were not seen on the ground (in flood-affected areas). It is true the prime minister was there but the ministers were missing. Some choose to perform umrah (during that time) and this needs to be corrected.
“Give an explanation, do not repeat it. If you went before the disaster, return home immediately,” Anwar said at a special Parliamentary sitting to discuss matters relating to floods and long-term flood management today.
He added that he also monitors the performance of opposition-elected representatives who do not go down on ground to help flood victims.
“If their performances during the flood are weak, I give my guarantee that the representative's name will be dropped from the candidates’ list in the next election.
“I monitor them daily (during the flood), so it is unfair for the prime minister sarcastically claim that several MPs went missing, as we need to get accurate information,” Anwar said.
