By Ebi Kesiena
The Malaysian military used boats on Tuesday to distribute food to desperate people trapped in their homes after massive floods, as the death toll rose to 14 with over 70,000 displaced.
Days of torrential rain triggered some of the worst flooding in years across the country at the weekend, swamping cities and villages and cutting off major roads.
Selangor, the country’s wealthiest and most densely populated state, encircling the capital Kuala Lumpur is one of the worst-hit areas.
In the city of Shah Alam, some areas were still under water on Tuesday and military personnel in boats distributed food to people stuck in their homes and government shelters.
Kartik Subramany fled his house as floodwaters rose, and took refuge in a school for 48 hours before being evacuated with his family to a shelter.
“My house is totally damaged, my two cars are wrecked,” the 29-year-old told AFP.
“These are the worst floods of my entire life. The federal government has failed the people miserably it has failed in its primary function to protect and safeguard lives.”
He is among a growing number criticising what they say is a slow and inadequate official response.
Thousands of emergency service and military personnel have been mobilised, but critics say it is not enough and volunteers have stepped in to provide food and boats for the rescue effort.
There have also been reports of supermarkets being looted in one hard-hit Shah Alam neighbourhood.
