PM condemns looting after floods
Malaysiakini.com
Dec 24, 2006

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denounced looters today amid the country's worst floods in decades.

Abdullah urged the public to make citizen's arrests as the police struggled to cope after thousands of people abandoned their homes to escape rising waters.

"Make a citizen's arrest. There is nothing wrong with that. You cannot just leave it to the police if you see something (wrong)," he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star newspaper in Batu Pahat, Johor state.

Abdullah said he was disappointed that some people took advantage of the hardship faced by others.

Looting has been reported in Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang.

Razali Yahya, chief inspector at Kota Tinggi police station in Johor, said security forces had arrested four individuals who were found inside business premises and one who was trying to break into a car in the district.

"We have made five arrests," he told AFP, adding that some 20 officers were on patrol in boat and vehicles to ensure the safety of public properties.

"I want to remind those would-be criminals that we are watching you," he warned.

Razali said Kota Tinggi was among the worst affected areas in Johor. It has at least 2,400 homes still underwater.

"The town is still under a metre of water," he said, following the week-long floods.

No Christmas this year...

Welfare officials in Johor Sunday said 70,330 people continued to seek shelter in 326 centers in the eight districts in the state, with the death toll standing at seven.

Rosleli Zahari, political chief of the ruling Umno in Kota Tinggi, estimated losses to run into millions of ringgit in the largest district in Johor.

"Houses, cars, palm oil estates and fish farm are damaged. I think losses in Kota Tinggi alone can run into millions of ringgit," he said.

"The flood situation is still bad but it seems to be improving. We pray the rain will stop. The public are advised to remain on alert," he added.

Leon Lopez, 24, said the flood had ruined his family's Christmas after flood waters entered his house and damaged their belongings.

"I feel as if someone had robbed me of my house," Lopez was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star newspaper in Malacca, which has also been hit by heavy rain.

"No Christmas this year. I have a lot of cleaning to do," he added.

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