DEWAN Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun has responded swiftly to calls for an emergency debate on the flash floods that hit the Klang Valley on Monday.

       Although bound by Standing Orders which allows him 24 hours to reply to a notice for emergency motion to debate the issue, Azhar said he agreed that the matter should be raised in Parliament.

       “Bukit Bintang, I received your proposal last night (Monday) at 10pm, and Lembah Pantai I received your proposal at 10am this morning (yesterday).

       “I will allow for this issue to be discussed but I can’t allow for it to be discussed right now because this requires 24 hours,” said Azhar, adding that as the two proposals were for the same issue, he would allow for them to be discussed together.

       Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) raised the issue after flash floods caused destruction in Klang Valley on Monday, adding that many vehicles were affected, causing huge losses for Malaysians.

       “It is of importance for us to debate this issue. I have also discussed this with the Federal Territories Minister, and even he agreed for this to be raised (in Dewan Rakyat).

       “As such, I ask for priority to be given to this issue,” he said in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) concurred, saying those who were affected in the floods last December were the same people who were affected on Monday.

       “I urge for your goodwill that we debate this, and my hope is that not just the Federal Territories Minister but also the ministry in charge of National Disaster Management Agency, and the Environment and Water Ministry to provide an explanation on this matter as all three ministries are connected to one another,” he said.

       Meanwhile, it was revealed that a total of 55 people had been killed in the floods from December 2021 to January this year.

       Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad said 55 deaths occurred since the north-east monsoon started, with 52 deaths recorded last December, and three in January this year, while another two victims in Pahang were still missing.

       Selangor recorded the highest number of deaths at 25, followed by Pahang (21), Kelantan (four), Sabah (three), Negri Sembilan (one) and Johor (one).