M'SIAN COMMUNITY IN QUEENSLAND LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER

By Yuri Azhar Mazlan

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian community in Queensland are
looking out for each other in the wake of the worst flood disaster in the
Australian state in decades.

Several of them contacted by Bernama Friday said the community was
cooperating well in facing the situation and ensuring their wellbeing in terms
of safety and necessities.

A project manager of Brisbane engineering company Aurecon Group Brand (Pte)
Ltd who wished to be identified only as Ariff, 35, said he was not facing any
serious problems except that he was unable to go to work as his office in
downtown Brisbane was not accessible since Wednesday because of the floods.

"My house in Carindale, nearby Brisbane, is not affected because the housing
estate it is in is on high ground. However, my house has become a temporary
relief shelter for my Malaysian friends who were not as fortunate as me," he
said, adding that the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra was also in touch
with them (Malaysians) to ensure their wellbeing since the disaster hit.

Ariff, who lives in Carindale with his wife Wina Rahman, 31, and two
daughters aged four and two, also said retail outlets in Carindale were
operating as normal and as such there was no problem in getting necessities.


A friend of his, Ahmad Hazran Ayob, 31, an engineer with Corrosion
Specialists Pty Ltd, said he had to evacuate his home St.Lucia after it became
inundated and had to seek "refuge" at Ariff's home.

"The local authorities were quick in their response in evacuating flood
victims and looking after their general wellbeing," said the bachelor.

Another Malaysian, Johan Hussein, 40, said his house in Toowomba was
inundated up to the chest level and that they were evacuated in boats to
temporary shelters.

The Australian Associated Press (AAP) Friday put the death toll in the
disaster at 16 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