Malaysia flood 2014: PM Najib Razak announces extra funding

Malaysian PM Najib Razak has announced an extra 500 million ringgit ($142 million) to help victims of the country’s worst flooding in decades.

At least five people have been killed in the floods along Malaysia’s east coast, with over 160,000 displaced.

PM Najib Razak made the announcement after visiting flood-stricken areas.

He has faced public anger after being photographed golfing with President Barack Obama in Hawaii during the storms.

Najib Razak decided to cut short his holiday, and defended his “golf diplomacy” with President Barack Obama, saying that it was difficult to decline the invitation as it had been planned for a while.

“Every day when I was there, I received the latest report on the flood situation… as it became more serious, I decided to return to the country as soon as possible,” Najib Razak said in Kota Bharu, the capital of Kelantan province.

The extra funding will go to victims after the floods subsides, and is on top of an initial 50 million ringgit ($14 million) allocation.

Entire towns have been submerged by the flooding.

Rescue workers have been struggling to bring in enough food and supplies for families sleeping in relief centers.

Some victims have accused the government of being too slow in responding.

Malaysia’s eastern states are often flooded during the monsoon season but heavy rain and winds have worsened the situation this year.