MALAYSIANS IN QUEENSLAND REPORTED SAFE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysians living and studying in
Brisbane, Australia are reported safe although the city has been cut off and is
facing food shortages as a result of the flood disaster which has hit the
northeastern region of the continent.

Queensland Malaysian Muslim Students Association deputy president Mohd
Ridzwan Yaakub said more than 40 families of Malaysian students had been moved
to higher ground by the local authorities or were putting up at homes of friends
which were not affected by the floods.

He said Malaysians there had taken precautionary measures following an
advisory by the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra of the impending floods.

"So far, there have been no reports of casualties involving Malaysian
students...they were ordered to relocate as early as Tuesday.

"The floods here are really bad...I was told this is the worst flood
disaster to hit Queensland since 1974," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said Brisbane, Toowoomba, St Lucia, Indooroopilly and Toowong were the
worst hit and that 13 Malaysian students were stranded and only had enough food
for two more days in Toowoomba, which is located some 100 kilometres from
Brisbane.

"The association is working with the Malaysian High Commission to find a
way to bring food supplies to them although access by land routes to the town
has been cut off because of floods," said Mohd Ridzwan, a first year student at
a Brisbane university.

He said several homes of Malaysian lecturers pursuing doctorate studies in
Brisbane had become inundated particularly in the parts of West End, Yeronga and
Fairfield.

"Fortunately, they moved to higher ground after being told to do so before
the floods hit," he said, adding that the association was managing the situation
and updating the Malaysian Students Department and the Public Service Department
on the status of Malaysian students in the wake of the disaster.

"We are doing everything possible with the limited funds were have to ensure
the students have the basic necessities. With the full cooperation of the
students, we have been able to reduce the risks of their getting trapped in
floods.

"So far, all Malaysian students in Brisbane are safe. We hope all Malaysians
will pray for our safety here," he said.

According to him, among the universities located there (Brisbane) were
University of Southern Queensland and Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane.

Reports by foreign news agencies have put the death toll in Brisbane as a
result of the disaster at 12 people with scores reported missing and damage to
property in the millions.

The Brisbane river is reported to have overflowed its banks as high as
traffic light poles and that some 20,000 houses were submerged.

-- BERNAMA