IPOH: Perak Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has urged voters to remain calm over the possibility of floods on polling day as district offices are fully prepared.
“I am confident that members of the public do not have to panic. They just have to be alert about the possibility of floods in their area. We don’t think there is going to be any major flood incidents for this period,” he said during a Barisan Nasional event to support candidates on Nov 17.
He explained that each district office in Perak has gone through flood simulations chaired by the Disaster Management Committee.
“They have identified possible victims and relief centres. All the logistical needs have also been mapped out. I have also launched a Barisan Nasional flood relief squad, which is an NGO that will be instructed to assist the district offices,” he said.
He added that two possible flood areas on polling day in the northern part of Perak have also been identified.
“There are two primary schools that will serve as both a flood relief centre and polling station. Walls will be set up to separate the two areas.
"I don’t think there will be an issue because the school compound is huge and there are enough classrooms to accommodate people on that day,” he said, adding that people should also cooperate and get ready to move to relief centres when required to do so.
Saarani said Barisan is always ready to assist people, regardless of the timing.
He also said that candidates cannot offer to help people in exchange for votes.
“You can’t give handouts in terms of cash or physical items with the motive of fishing for votes. But if we see a person drowning and we have a sampan, we can’t ignore them,” he said, adding that candidates should channel aid to district offices to avoid violating the general election campaigning guidelines set by the Election Commission.
The incumbent for the Kota Tampan state seat will be up against Jamil Yahya (Perikatan Nasional) and Mohd Sabri Abdul Manaf (Pakatan Harapan).
