Who could have guessed? Once again, social media has its knickers in a twist. This time, it was about whether a YB or an elected representative should go to the ground during natural disasters.
The fact that we are arguing about it is preposterous. Then again, arguing over the most ridiculous things is what social media is for.
This week, on the first day of the Chinese New Year, incessant rain affected many parts of Sarawak, leading to unprecedented floods.
My hometown, Miri, was not spared, with floods in low-lying areas and even main roads, leading to traffic congestion. A total of five lives were lost in a landslide at Kampung Lereng Bukit, a village near Canada Hill, just by the main road.
In Bintulu, the flood was worse, probably the most destructive in recent memory. It was learned that not only low-lying areas were affected, but also areas that were thought to be safe and never flooded before.
Videos and photos showing cars floating and carried away by flood currents were depressing. People and their pets had to be rescued from their homes.
The issue occurred when photos and videos of Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing assisting in rescue operations surfaced.
Many would have excused him for being at home, spending time with family members for CNY, only for him to don a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, and get on a rescue boat under torrential rain, helping flood victims.
This is commendable and a reflection of his character as a down-to-earth person going the extra mile. He has done it many times throughout his career as an elected representative. This was vintage Datuk Seri Tiong.
However, some appeared to disagree and accused him of being performative, only seeking political mileage by performing such a selfless act. This brings us to the question: Should YBs even bother to ‘turun padang’?
Most of the criticism originated from individuals outside Sarawak who viewed him as a divisive and contentious politician. Tiong’s tendency to break conventions and exceed expectations is a core part of his personality. Those looking from the outside might be inclined to focus solely on the negative aspects of individuals.
Most probably they are projecting. Probably the leaders they know and in their own ‘kawasan’ wouldn’t go to such lengths, but that’s just my opinion.
Amid the praise for Tiong, many were asking: “Where are the other YBs?”. “Mana YB ini, mana YB itu?” To me, this is unfair. It is as if other YBs, aside from the Bintulu MP, are not doing their jobs.
If this is the world that we are living in, where performances are measured by the number of videos that an elected representative appears in on TikTok, it does not at all represent the amount of work done behind closed doors.
Perhaps after this, YBs and their ground staff don’t even need to prepare for natural disasters and coordinate disaster response. They should just hop on the nearest boat during the flood, do a photo or video op, and consider their job done, if that is what the public wants.
In reality, the jobs of an elected representative, given my experience working closely with a number of them, are quite involved during natural disasters.
Preparation is done even before the possibility of a natural disaster such as flooding comes close. This is done by coordinating local disaster response teams, ensuring that enough assets such as rescue boats are procured, as well as identifying personnel.
Coordination with local agencies is crucial to ensure a smooth operation and task division. One is for the rescue operation itself, and the other is for the operation and readiness of evacuation centres.
Someone has to do all this, and more often than not, the responsibility falls on the YBs and their team. These are wartime operations.
In peacetime, meaning when there’s no flooding, efforts are made to ensure the preparedness of the local infrastructure such as drainage and irrigation to handle large volumes of rainwater to keep flooding at a minimum.
These projects take time and more often than not, people complain about why it takes too long to complete and how it is inconvenient. But when disaster strikes, they understand the importance of good drainage infrastructure.
As the threat of climate change materialises, where flooding has become less of a rarity, especially in these parts of Malaysia, disaster mitigation policies must be supported, even at the expense of short-term convenience.
Circling back to the question: “Should YBs even ‘turun padang’?”, I think they should and they are doing exactly that.
Some netizens have made the effort to compile photos of YBs going to the ground to monitor flood situations, as well as visiting flood victims at evacuation centres to offer relief.
Our YBs work at all hours to ensure the safety of the people and the comfort of flood victims during these difficult times. Most of the work happens behind closed doors and is not glamorous enough for people to notice.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is also working hard to put boots on the ground during natural disasters, mobilising personnel to affected areas and ensuring the lives of the people are made the top priority.
The same goes for the uniformed body staff and frontline workers who had to work multiple shifts and put the interests of others ahead of themselves and even their own families. They should be commended for this.
While some criticised rescue personnel for being slow, it is important to remember that many people need rescuing. It is crucial to show understanding and patience in such situations.
Simply put, the flood disaster has been unprecedented, and while emotions are running high and some are still in shock and looking to point fingers, we must understand everyone’s role. In the end, safety and lives are paramount.
Thank you to all the heroes, not just the ones that people see on social media, but also the unsung ones who are working at all hours to ensure a smooth disaster response and disaster relief. Their sacrifices and dedication must be appreciated.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.