Disease fears rise after floods hit Malaysia

Tens of thousands of victims also faced food shortages following the return of heavy monsoon rains to southern states after last month's severe flooding.

"We are in grave need of food supplies," Welfare Minister Shahrizat Jalil said.

There were also reported cases of looting from abandoned homes, officials said.

Abdul Latif Sapri, a truck driver, and his family have been taking shelter at a relief camp for the past 26 days after floods swept through their riverside house last month.

The 55-year-old, who has been having sleepless nights from the flood trauma, says he is uncertain about his future.

"I'm puzzled why this is happening to me," Latif said in a crowded badminton hall-turned-relief centre in Seri Medan, a rural town in Johor.