PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to boost coordination among federal and state agencies to provide uninterrupted aid for those affected by floods in Sabah and Sarawak.

During a briefing at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday, senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said Anwar had instructed Nadma to work with state governments to facilitate aid distribution to households.

“The prime minister is giving special attention to the flood situation in Sabah and Sarawak.” Bernama reported that the number of flood evacuees in Sabah rose yesterday morning to 4,122 people from 1,357 families, up from 3,579 people from 1,203 families on Sunday.

In Sarawak, the number of flood evacuees rose to 352 yesterday morning from 347 on Sunday night. Civil Defence Force Chief Commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed said 2,000 personnel had been deployed for flood rescue operations in Sabah and Sarawak.

On the proposed Urban Renewal Bill, Nashrul said Anwar had again rejected claims that the bill would marginalise Malays and Bumiputeras.

Nashrul said the legislation, which will be tabled in Parliament, would not lead to the eviction of any homeowners or landowners. He said the bill would not alter Bumiputera ownership percentages or the ethnic composition of any area.

“As such, claims that Malays and Bumiputeras are being sidelined from urban development are unfounded, as the goal is to boost the quality of urban living, ultimately benefiting Malays.”

On Feb 27, Anwar pushed back against critics of the bill, asking whether they would rather see urban Malays remain trapped in poverty. He had vowed to take to the streets, if necessary, to counter protests against urban redevelopment efforts.

The proposed bill would set a consensus threshold for redevelopment, requiring 80 per cent of residents to agree before negotiations could commence for buildings under 30 years old.

For buildings over 30 years old, the threshold is 75 per cent, and for abandoned or derelict housing, a simple majority of 51 per cent is required.

Tunku Nashrul said Anwar urged Malaysians to remain vigilant against baseless and slanderous claims, particularly those aimed at inciting public unease.

He said Anwar cited as an example a post that repeated falsehoods aimed at inciting public unease regarding the call to prayer (azan). “Such narratives often resurface when elections approach.”

He said this divisive culture must end to prevent further harm to society and the country. “People are urged not to be deceived by such slander, especially as the spirit of Ramadan calls on Muslims to uphold critical thinking and reject any divisive action, including spreading falsehoods.”