| Malaysia is battling some of the worst floods in decades along its east coast, which have killed at least five people. More than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes, and Prime Minister Najib Razak has returned early from holiday in the US. He is due to visit the worst-hit areas of northern Kelantan state. Eastern states are often flooded during the monsoon season, but this time officials say heavier rain and stronger winds have made things worse.
In some areas, entire towns have been submerged. Darius Dramburg, an eyewitness in the flooded region, told the BBC World Service that his entire village was under water and there was no electricity running in some parts. "Because there is no electricity there's no water either. The shops have all closed down so we don't know how much food we could get. "I decided to leave the place now and go down to Kuala Lumpur." Rescue workers are struggling to bring in enough food and supplies for families sleeping in relief centres. BBC Malaysia correspondent Jennifer Pak, in Kuala Lumpur, says Mr Najib cut short his holiday after the media published pictures of him golfing with US President Barack Obama in Hawaii. The images reinforce the belief of some Malaysians that the government has not been doing enough to prevent these annual floods. Source URL |
