Since record-breaking floods hit the peninsular east coast, many Malaysians have done their damnedest to make their way to affected areas to bring much-needed supplies and assist flood victims. There’s another group of people streaming in to these waterlogged states, however: “disaster tourists”.
Local authorities, aid agencies and NGO volunteers are exasperated with the amount of people clogging up roads already blocked in many places by flood waters and mud, just to “have a look” at the damage wrought upon affected areas, and to snap “I was there” photos to share on Facebook and Instagram.
Volunteers and aid workers vented their frustrations to The Star Online.
“To bring 20 to 30 cars for a visit to the area only worsens the situation,” said a military officer on the ground, who wanted to be known only as Yan.
“The roads are already congested with victims’ cars as most are covered in mud and debris. These tourists shouldn’t be driving into the rural areas nor be there at all.”
Beh Xi Chin, a doctor volunteering to help flood victims, said bad traffic made worse by the arrival of “disaster tourists” caused him and his team to be stuck on a bridge for three hours, unable to provide help to affected areas.
“People here have lost everything,” he said. “There are some who are doing everything they can to help these people, while there are others who are taking advantage of the situation,” he added.
Eighth Army Brigade commander Jen Datuk Azmi Yahya confirmed that there were large numbers of “unwanted tourists”, causing added traffic problems.
“Our work continues, but the process is being slowed because of this,” he said.
