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Malaysia floods: Seven killed, 132,000 flee

At least seven people have been killed and over 132,000 fled their homes in one of the worst floods in Malaysia’s history as authorities struggled in their rescue efforts amid power outages and destruction of roads.

Prime minister Najib Razak today announced additional funds to help flood victims nationwide after landslides, road blocks and swirling waters enveloped the country’s eight states. Weather office, meanwhile, indicated that there will be no respite in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang states in coming days.

Razak reached Kelantan to assess flood emergency operations today after cutting short his holiday in the US. He announced an additional allocation of RM 500 million (USD 143 million) to help flood victims nationwide that will be administered by the National Security Council. Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin admitted rescuers were facing challenges with power outages and roads being washed away by the floods. “I admit the situation is challenging to the rescue workers and we are trying our best to make sure that the food arrives to the victims depending on the flood situation,” deputy premier Muhyiddin Tassin said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have sought shelter in schools, community halls and other relief centres, according to flood monitoring centres. The country’s citizens were upset with Razak for going on holidays in Hawaii, where he was seen golfing with US president Barack Obama.

The floods took a turn for the worse in Kelantan on Saturday, sending 81,925 people to relief centres while the situation in Kedah state continued to improve. 
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