Floods wreak havoc in Malaysia, southern Thailand with over 30 killed, tens of thousands displaced

KOTA BARU, Malaysia (AP) — Severe floods caused by monsoon rains killed more than 30 people and displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia and southern Thailand, officials said Tuesday, with both countries preparing shelters and evacuation plans in anticipation of more heavy rain.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said five days of heavier-than-expected rain that battered the country's east coast last week was equal to the rainfall over the past six months, wreaking havoc in the northeastern state of Kelantan and neighboring Terengganu.

The floods also submerged large tracts of rice fields, causing millions of dollars in losses to farmers, officials said. The heavy downpour also damaged roads, houses and public facilities in Kelantan and other parts of Malaysia. Rescue workers used boats to distribute food to victims trapped in their homes.

“I was awoken around 3 a.m. in the morning. I tried to move my car. I thought the water won't rise this high. However, at 5 a.m. the water rose nonstop, so I was only able to rescue a few things,” laborer Ayob Othman said outside his partially submerged home in Tumpat district in Kelantan.

Another Tumpat villager, Asmah Ibrahim, despaired over how to rebuild her ruined home. “To eat, drink, I have some cash, but to repair this?” she said. "Where can I find 40,000 ringgit ($9,000)?”

Anwar told Parliament on Tuesday that it would cost an estimated 1 billion ringgit ($224 million) to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods. He said the government will consider compensation for those who lost assets.

The rain eased over the weekend, but the Meteorological Department forecast heavy rains later Tuesday. Anwar said the government is bracing for another monsoon surge that is expected to hit on Sunday.

National Disaster Command Center data showed about 85,000 people across seven states remained in schools, community halls and relief centers after they were moved out of their homes due to the floods. This was down from about 150,000 evacuees on Sunday. About 88% of the evacuees are from Kelantan and Terengganu.

At least six people died in Malaysia, while the death toll was higher in southern Thailand.

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said Tuesday that 25 people perished in floods in the southernmost part of the country in the past week. More than 300,000 households have been affected, with many schools and 98 health facilities forced to close. The health ministry said 34,354 evacuees remained at 491 government shelters on Monday.

Although water levels have receded in several provinces, the department also warned of more heavy rains through Thursday, putting the areas further at risk of flash floods. Authorities prepared shelter, water pumps, evacuation trucks and boats, and put rescue workers on standby to prepare for more downpours.

The floods have affected tourism, with Malaysian officials urging citizens to defer travel plans to southern Thailand, a popular holiday destination.

Jintamas reported from Bangkok.

A resident crosses a road past houses damaged by flood in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Residents wade through flood water outside their home in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

People use a boat to cross a flooded area in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru in Kelantan state on the east coast of Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Children wade through flood waters in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

People use a boat to cross a flooded area in Tumpat, Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

People wade through flood waters in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A residents rides a self modified motorcycle through a road covered by flood water in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Asmah Ibrahim, 60 years old resident reacts as she stands outside of her house damaged by flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Motorists survey a house damaged by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Residents ride on a self modified motorcycle through a road covered by flood water in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Children wade through flood water outside their home in Tumpat, outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Motorists survey the damage caused by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru in Kelantan state on the east coast of Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Men use a boat at a flooded neighborhood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A man dries items he removed from his flooded house in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru in Kelantan state on the east coast of Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

People remove items from a flooded school in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A woman wades through floodwater in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru in Kelantan state on the east coast of Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Men remove items from a school affected by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

People wade through the water at a neighborhood affected by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

People wade through the water at a neighborhood affected by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Motorists survey a road damaged by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru in Kelantan state on the east coast of Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Men survey the damage caused by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru in Kelantan state on the east coast of Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A man sorts items removed from a school affected by a flood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A man removes a chair and a fan from his flooded house in Tumpat, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic declined to do a customary post-match TV interview at the Australian Open after his win Sunday night to protest comments made on air by someone who works for the official broadcaster of the tournament in the host country.

Djokovic said he wants an apology from Channel 9 and Tony Jones, who called the 24-time Grand Slam champion overrated and a has-been during an on-air appearance at Melbourne Park where a crowd of the player's supporters were chanting.

Djokovic, a 37-year-old from Serbia, did not name Jones, but said a "famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster, Channel 9 ... made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments toward me.”

Djokovic said he will continue to avoid speaking to the network.

“I leave it to Channel 9 to handle this the way they think they see fit. That’s all,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic later posted a message on X reiterating why he declined to speak. That triggered a reply from billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who said “It’s way better just to talk to the public directly than go through the negativity filter of legacy media.”

Djokovic replied to Musk's tweet with “Indeed” followed by a raised hands emoji.

After beating Jiri Lehecka in three sets at Rod Laver Arena to reach the quarterfinals, Djokovic was expected to speak to former player Jim Courier on television. Instead, Djokovic held the microphone and told the crowd: “Thank you very much for being here tonight. I appreciate your presence and the support. I’ll see you next round. Thank you very much.”

Later, at his news conference, Djokovic began with a statement, telling reporters why he didn't do the interview and clarifying he was upset by Jones and the broadcaster, not Courier or the fans in the stadium.

He said that he also spoke to Craig Tiley, the CEO of Tennis Australia, about the issue.

“I just wanted to make sure that he knows where I stand and the reasons behind it,” Djokovic said. “So I told him: ‘If you guys want to fine me for not giving an on-court interview, that’s OK.’ I’ll accept that ’cause I feel like this is something that needs to be done. That’s all there is to it.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Novak Djokovic of Serbia autographs for fans after defeating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in a fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Novak Djokovic, right, of Serbia is congratulated by Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, left, after their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)