By Admin
How would you feel when a promise isn’t fulfilled within a reasonable time? Especially when the ones waiting for help are people who—unlike many in positions of power—cannot afford to keep waiting? These are not wealthy individuals brushing off the loss of a few thousand ringgit. These are regular, hardworking families whose lives were upended by the devastating June 2024 floods in Penampang. They were promised RM1,000 in flood aid, a lifeline to help rebuild their lives. Months have passed, and what do they have to show for it? Nothing but frustration and bureaucracy.
It has come to light that while some Penampang flood victims have received the RM1,000 relief, many are still waiting. This delay could stem from bureaucratic hurdles or inefficiency, but it doesn’t absolve leaders from their responsibility. Leaders must ensure that promises are kept and that flood aid reaches those who need it most. When those in power fail to act promptly, they fail not only as leaders but as stewards of the people’s trust.
It makes me wonder: Are the people responsible for this debacle truly worthy of being called leaders? A leader is someone who stands by their commitments, someone who takes action when it’s needed most. Bureaucratic delays are not an excuse when lives and livelihoods are at stake. If they’re not interested in genuinely helping, then they should step aside. Don’t toy with the hearts and sentiments of those who depend on you. Don’t pretend to care when you don’t.
The Sabah flood victims—especially in Penampang—aren’t asking for luxuries. They’re not demanding the moon and stars. All they want is what was promised to them. RM1,000 might seem like a small amount to some, but for these families, it’s the difference between patching up a damaged roof or leaving it to leak for another month. It’s about putting food on the table when the pantry is bare. For those in power, is it so difficult to fulfill such a basic obligation?
It’s infuriating, really. When promises are made, hope is kindled. But when those promises are ignored, that hope turns into frustration, then into anger. And rightfully so. How can we trust leaders who fail to deliver on something as straightforward as RM1,000 flood aid? How can we take their words seriously when they show such a blatant disregard for the needs of the people they’re supposed to serve?
To the leaders who made these promises: if you have even an ounce of dignity, deliver what you’ve pledged. If bureaucratic delays are the issue, fix them. If you’re too inept or uninterested to do so, then berambus! Leave! Stop playing games with people’s lives. Because when you make promises you have no intention of keeping, you’re not just failing as a leader—you’re failing as a decent human being.
The flood victims in Penampang deserve better. They deserve leaders who will stand by them in their time of need, not disappear when the cameras stop rolling. This isn’t just about RM1,000 flood relief. It’s about trust, integrity, and the responsibility that comes with holding power. And if our so-called leaders can’t understand that, then it’s time we remind them who put them in power in the first place.
To the flood victims still waiting for aid: don’t give up. Your voices matter. Keep demanding what’s rightfully yours. And to the rest of us, let this be a lesson. When the next election comes, let’s choose leaders who are worthy of our trust—not those who see it as something to exploit.
For those who made the promise but have yet to deliver: the clock is ticking. The people are watching. And history has a way of remembering those who let others down in their hour of need.
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