Typhoon Haiyan which ravaged the Philippines leaving thousands dead hasn’t drawn the same level of urgency from Malaysia as it did for Aceh.
KUALA LUMPUR: In December 2004 when the tsunami hit Muslim Aceh, Malaysia reverberated with concern and compassion.
Support came from across the board, beating down race and religious lines. And it came immediately even as reports of the deaths streamed in.
Everyone was on the ball, media, corporates, NGOs and individuals.
But last Sunday’s Super Typhoon Haiyan which ravaged the Philippines’ central islands leaving thousands dead, hasn’t drawn the same level of urgency, noted a disaster relief medical volunteer here.
“We were there at the frontline, four days after the tsunami hit Aceh. We know the kind of urgency, empathy and feel the Malaysian government showed.
“This time it is different. The take-up is slower. Officials are hesitating, even government-linked NGOs are not enthusiastic,” added the volunteer who has also done relief work in the Middle East and in India.
His view was underscored by a Reuters report today that listed the nations which rushed to offer aid and assistance. Next to Malaysia (via Sabah), Philippines’ closest neighbours are Indonesia and Australia. Both countries have rushed forward.
Indonesia had already pledged US$2mil (RM6mil) in cash and emergency supplies and a Hercules aircraft with food, medicines and supplies is now in the Philippines.
Australia pledged A$10 mil (RM30mil) and its medical team is also there.
Further afield Taiwan, Japan, China have promised funds and assistance alongside Britain and the USA.
But Malaysia hasn’t said a word
‘God’s punishment’
On Sunday Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak tweeted that “Malaysia stands ready to provide assistance and support” and offered his condolences to those affected by the typhoon.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysia and Brunei were mulling over whether to assist via existing bilateral relations or on the Asean platform.
Hishammuddin added however that the Malaysia Humanitarian Aid Mission would leave today to the Philippines on two Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) Hercules C130 aircrafts ferrying equipment, medicine, food and aid.
Two days ago, an FMT contributor from Sabah asked why Malaysia was silent.
The writer took the matter one step further, asking why the Sabah state government was quiet when it had a ‘strong connection’ with Mindanao province which was also devastated by the typhoon.
Sabah’s Suluk community are immigrants from the Philippines’ Mindanao region, where incidentally Malaysia has some ‘big investments’ through Felda and several other GLCs.
It is said that half of Sabah’s immigrant population originated from the Philippines. And they are considered to be Umno’s ‘fixed deposit’ and crucial to the ruling party’s continued hold on Sabah and the federal capital.
But Malaysia had had to swallow a bitter pill – the February invasion of Lahad Datu by Sulu militants, subsequent deaths of 10 Malaysian security personnel, the leadership’s widely reportedly poor handling of the situation, and the disclosures in the Royal Commission of Inquiry.
The ‘invasion’ – reportedly a result of the Sulu Sultan’s claim on Sabah and Putrajaya ignoring their demand for a review of the annual lease paid – brought to light embarrassing truths.
“With the recent history we don’t think the government will give the same level of support it did for Aceh. Aceh is a Muslim province. We are Christians.
“Thousands of Sabahans have family ties in the Philippines. But now they are afraid to openly show their compassion for fear of being identified as traitors. They are being watched.
“Nowadays the leaders always talking about national security, they don’t want us to forget,” said a Malaysian-Filipino friend who went on to add “my Muslim friends say the typhoon is god’s punishment.”
660,000 homeless
The community in Kuala Lumpur is rallying together support and working with international agencies and grassroots NGOs to extend help.
The typhoon has left 660,000 people homeless and the enormity of food and healthcare challenges are only just unfolding.
UNICEF and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) have called for specific support for the women and children affected by the typhoon.
Water, sanitation and hygiene services have been almost completely wiped out, with pipelines flooded and lack of electricity making water pumping and treatment impossible.
Safe water is essential to protect children from diseases that, when coupled with malnutrition, can be deadly.
In a statement issued today, UNICEF Malaysia said many health facilities and birthing clinics have been destroyed.
An estimated 100,000 children under the age of five and 60,000 pregnant or nursing mothers were displaced by Haiyan.
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has voiced concern over the risk faced by women and children in such a crisis.
“The risks faced by women and girls need particular attention – whether it is the danger of sexual exploitation by the people controlling the food supply or being able to deliver a baby in safe, hygienic circumstances,” IPPF’s director general Tewodros Melesse said.
Amidst this is the heavy looting taking place all over the Philippines.fmt
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