In a statement today, the office addressed allegations on social media that Sanusi was vacationing with his wife overseas, despite floods and storms affecting several districts in Kedah.

It said the visit was to study the underground dam management system in the region, linked to a project in Langkawi that seeks to tap underground water reserves, expected to meet the island’s needs until 2040.

“The underground water dam in Langkawi, slated for completion by 2028, will be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia,” the office said.

It said Sanusi’s delegation, including management and technical staff from the Kedah Water Resources Board, left for Japan on Sept 17, before the major floods in the state.

“The menteri besar continues to monitor every development to ensure that the burden faced by all flood victims in Kedah is addressed swiftly and effectively,” it said.

As of 8am today, the number of flood evacuees in Kedah rose to 6,087 from 1,942 families, compared with 4,426 from 1,306 families at 8pm yesterday.