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Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan pointed out that the flood situation in Thailand is severe, and authorities were forced to use container trucks to assist in evacuating flood victims, hoping that stranded people will not mind.
He said that since the roads had been flooded, small vehicles and even buses could not pass through; therefore, authorities had to use container trucks to assist stranded people in evacuating—resembling “human trafficking.”
“Yesterday, we successfully rescued many Malaysians, but if there are complaints, I again apologize. We had to use containers to transport them out, and everyone was packed in the truck—just like human trafficking.”
“But, there’s no choice, as water levels rose and vehicles—even small boats—could not pass.”
Mohamad Hasan explained this during the minister’s question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today, in response to a question from DAP’s Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, saying that due to impassable roads in the Sadao area, authorities were once forced to use container trucks to transport stranded Malaysian citizens to safe locations.
He stated that our rescue teams not only saved Malaysian citizens, but also rescued stranded victims from other countries.
He added: “This is not only about Malaysian citizens. We are also assisting people from Brunei, Singapore, and other countries who are stranded by the floods.”
He emphasized that in the most severely affected areas, the container evacuation operation at one point became a crucial “lifeline.”
“We organized the evacuation in groups, similar to human trafficking methods, until arriving at Bukit Kayu Hitam. Because departing from Sadao, trucks and buses could not be used. So, we used containers.”
He added: “Today, we will use buses. Many buses can now pass.”
According to reports, as heavy rains eased and floodwaters began to subside yesterday, rescue teams—including Thai authorities, volunteer fire brigades, and local volunteers—were able to coordinate multiple evacuation operations.