FMT Reporters | January 3, 2015
Ariff Sabri says the devastation caused by the floods in Kuala Krai show the full extent of the “incompetence” of our PM and his government.
PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Ariff Sabri has said in no uncertain terms that Prime Minister Najib Razak had no political future left to speak of, the devastating floods the country has suffered having more or less shown the people the full extent of his incompetence and that of his administration.
In his latest blog entry, the MP for Raub said, “To me, Najib has no more future. The fate of UMNO and his own is already sealed by the next GE.”
He argued that Najib’s handling of the floods especially in Kelantan, the worst hit state, left much to be desired, adding, “Kuala Krai is indeed a watershed which showed the government’s incompetence in handling a national disaster.
Accusing Najib of taking things too lightly, Ariff said in a cynical tone, “Najib and his gang appear to think, they can respond to the flood with a jamboree mentality complete with his minions pointing to the water and saying or mocking us – look Tonto – this is water.”
He also put forth a “nagging” question: “With such extent and level of devastation that took place in many areas of Kelantan, why wasn’t a state of emergency declared?”
Like DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang who has repeatedly called for a declaration of a state of emergency, Ariff too expressed his incredulity that despite over 150,000 people losing property and livestock in the floods, the PM had adamantly refused to declare a state of emergency.
Ariff further argued, “The last time severe floods overwhelmed Pahang, I asked the same question through the Pahang MB.
“The answer I was given was that Najib would also have to declare a state of emergency in other states. That meant more resources would have to be spent.”
Rubbishing this statement, Ariff drew comparisons with President Obama who went ahead to declare a state of emergency during the recent Mississippi floods without having to do the same in all other states.
“Maybe Obama did not have the opportunity to impart some knowledge to Najb during their golfing meet. The game does not enhance intelligence after all.”
Saying Najib was losing out on the opportunity to showcase the country’s machinery in handling a national catastrophe, Ariff said, “Such a declaration would allow the usage of nationally owned facilities and assets and other resources to be used.”
Writing about the horror he felt at reading the many SOS messages sent by desperate doctors at Kuala Krai hospital who were unable to operate on patients because power was cut, he lamented, “Help did not come in time. We will never know of the fatal devastation at Kuala Krai hospital.”
He also praised ordinary Malaysians who came out in droves to help distribute food supplies and basic necessities to flood victims saying, “Thank you to these unsung heroes. There is a future yet for Malaysia.”
This statement was in sharp contrast to the one Ariff made in regard to Najib when he wrote, “ I am not going to offer ameliorating rationale about Najib’s and UMNO’s conduct over the worst flood the country has faced.
“I only want to contribute towards affirming our coming rejection of Najib and his government.
“Our destiny does not depend on whether UMNO survives the next election or not.”