KUALA LUMPUR: The provision of aid and assistance to the people affected by recent massive floods should not be turned into a political issue, says Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (pic).

       "Volunteerism and providing assistance to those in need are righteous deeds and should not be turned into a political issue.

       "As a big Malaysian Family with multi-racial, multi-religious people with different political ideologies, we have to be open and celebrate our differences.

       "No matter what the colours and logos on their shirts represent, what’s important is the love and compassion they have for the victims, which is very commendable,” the Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said in an interview on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme Friday (Dec 31) night.

       She said the commendable deeds were not only evident among the Muslims, but also the non-Muslims, "which proved that we are in it together as one big family”.

       Siti Zailah said the Social Welfare Department had mobilised more than 3,000 personnel to ensure temporary shelters and the well-being of the victims were taken care of with an allocation of RM35mil allocated for the purpose. - Bernama