Malaysia govt faces flak over slow response to deadly floods

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is facing a barrage of criticism as residents accused his government of responding too slowly after the country’s worst floods in years.

Days of torrential rain caused rivers to overflow last week, swamping cities and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, while leaving dozens of people dead.

Damaged appliances and soaked furniture were piled up on the streets and outside homes in flood-hit areas as residents and volunteers continued an enormous clean-up drive.

Affected residents were frustrated with the authorities with many still asking where the help was.

The mounds of rubbish left in the area after the floods have also sparked fear of disease outbreaks.

Selangor, which encircles the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, was the state hit hardest by the floods.

Many in the Shah Alam district were left stranded in their homes with barely any food for days, before being evacuated on boats in a chaotic rescue operation.

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