Noting how the incessant rain for several days was followed by landslides and major floods, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was a harsh reminder that “climate change is real”, noting that the impact was beyond the government’s expectations.

“Look at the mud that was spewed by the hills and rivers. This proves that our hills are getting eroded and our rivers are getting shallower. All these are the effects of human activities that will bring dire consequences if not properly addressed,” he said.

“Parliament must immediately review all existing laws on the environment and river protection. We must have sustainable urban development.

“I urge that a special sitting of Parliament be held specifically to discuss the floods and the preparedness of the government’s machinery for the sake of Keluarga Malaysia,” he added in a statement.

Earlier, FMT had reported that several Pakatan Harapan MPs were disappointed that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun had refused to allow debate on the flood crisis affecting several states on Monday.

In response, Azhar said any MP who wished to debate the flood crisis should have notified him via WhatsApp on the eve of the sitting or filed a motion on Monday morning itself.

Stating that the matter was not included in the agenda of Monday’s sitting, which only had the tabling of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Bill 2021 by health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Azhar said he “did not have the power” to allow such debates to take place at the MPs’ request.

Thousands of Malaysians — especially in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang — have been severely affected by the floods over the past week, with billions of ringgit in damages. So far, 37 deaths and 10 missing person reports have been recorded.