The helicopter carrying MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and hundreds of food packs departing Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang on Dec 26, 2014.
GEORGE TOWN: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who has made on-the-spot visits to flood affected areas in Kelantan and Terengganu, has found that even with air support, sending relief teams into those areas is a major challenge.
This is because many of these areas do not have helipads, he said.
Space constraints have also limited food delivery with helicopters, he told reporters yesterday.
Earlier, he attended the 123rd anniversary celebrations of the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam and the inauguration of its seventh abbot, Venerable Xian Guan, who had served the temple since 1988.
Liow said the flooded areas had become isolated without water and food while telecommunication (land lines) had also been cut off.
“I’m really concerned and worried about the victims’ well-being after visiting Kelantan and Terengganu on Friday,” he said.
Liow, who is MCA president, said the party’s crisis relief squad would be sending out more volunteers to try and reach these areas.
He said the squad had been tasked with distributing three lorries laden with food aid to the victims, adding the party would work closely with the National Security Council in its relief mission.
“I urge everybody to look after their health and safety as the water has yet to subside,” he added.
In Kuala Lumpur, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon said the wing would swing into action to clean up hospitals, schools and other public amenities once the flood waters recede.
This will be the focus of its “Youth Care” movement, which will clean the flood-hit areas in the fastest way possible after floodwaters subside to prevent diseases.
The movement hopes to rope in 100 volunteers, including doctors and nurses.
He said the wing had joined hands with 14 youth organisations to form the Youth Care coalition for flood relief purposes, encouraging the public to turn volunteers to help in the aftermath of the floods
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