By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 27: Many Sarawakians are among the 199 Malaysians stranded in Hatyai, a major southern Thailand business hub bordering Malaysia, after a once-in-300-years rainfall triggered massive floods that have paralysed the city for days.
arawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief Milton Foo said his bureau has been receiving SOS calls from Sarawakians trapped at multiple hotels across Hatyai, some with dwindling food, water and medical supplies as electricity remains cut and communication becomes increasingly difficult.
“As of today, I have received SOS calls from Sarawakian victims stranded in Hatyai due to the massive flood. There are a total of 199 Malaysians including Sarawakians in at least 10 hotels, but I have yet to ascertain the exact number of Sarawakians,” he told a press conference at SUPP Headquarters today.
He said many have been stranded for four to five days since the floods hit.
Foo revealed that based on preliminary records, 13 Malaysians are taking shelter at Lantern Hotel, of whom four to six are believed to be Sarawakians, while about seven Sarawakians from Sri Aman are at Grand Pink Hotel. May Flower Hotel houses the largest group, with 103 Malaysians, including many Sarawakians, while 12 Malaysians at Urbanely Hotel include four Sarawakians.
At ATK Garden Hills Hotel, 11 Malaysians are reported stranded. Another 18 are at BP Grand Suite Hotel, among them 16 Sarawakians and two Johoreans.
“As of press time, all of them from BP Grand Suit have been rescued,” he disclosed.
He added that all seven Malaysians staying at B2 Premium Hotel are Sarawakians, including two from Samarahan. They were moved to an evacuation centre before crossing the border back into Malaysia by land last night, although they still need to secure flights home to Sarawak.
Foo also highlighted a worrying case involving a Sarawakian from Miri who has been reported missing by a friend after repeated attempts to contact the individual failed.
“Another group of eight Malaysians, including four elderly women and two elderly men, are stranded at Lorjula Inn. One of the elderly women is a heart patient who is now running out of medication,” he said.
Foo emphasised that he has contacted the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has forwarded victims’ details, including passport numbers, to facilitate urgent rescue efforts.
“Some are stuck in hotels with no or minimal food and water supply. Electricity is cut off, phones are running out of battery and, more importantly, some are running out of personal medication,” he stressed.
However, there are signs of improvement. Foo reported that floodwaters have begun to recede in certain areas, and several Malaysians, including 11 Sarawakians able to walk, have reached Central Hatyai, believed to be a shopping mall where tourists have gathered while waiting for transport to the Malaysian border.
“I advised them to leave unnecessary luggage and take only important personal documents, and to leave as soon as opportunities arise. Four Sarawakians from the Urbanely Hotel have also reached the Central,” he said.
Foo said he is still attempting to contact the remaining stranded individuals and will continue providing updates to concerned families.
He acknowledged the assistance provided by Thai authorities and NGOs, which have been delivering food and aid to those trapped. The Malaysian Embassy in Thailand, he said, is also working hard to trace and help stranded citizens despite the chaos in Hatyai in recent days.
Foo believes there may be more Malaysians affected than the 199 who have contacted him, noting that Malaysian authorities have indicated that thousands are impacted by the unprecedented disaster.
“This is a natural disaster, a massive flood in 300 years with a huge amount of water reported,” he said.
Given the scale of the catastrophe, Foo urged the Malaysian government to act more proactively.
“As this is happening in a neighbouring country, I believe our government should take immediate action. While Malaysia is working closely with the Thai government, professional rescue teams should be mobilised instead of relying mainly on NGOs with limited resources and manpower.
“They must act with urgency because families are anxious when their loved ones are uncontactable and their safety is unknown.”
Foo reiterated his advice for all Malaysian travellers in Hatyai who are able to leave safely to do so immediately. — DayakDaily
