KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (Nov 29) barred his Cabinet members from going on leave, after the displacement this week of more than 90,000 people in a growing flood disaster that officials fear could be the country's worst in a decade.

"All ministers have been asked to continue their duties and go down to the ground now," Anwar told reporters, according to a video posted online by state broadcaster Bernama TV.

"Yes," Anwar replied when asked if ministers' leave had been frozen.

Floods are common on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia during the monsoon period between October and March, but this week's torrential rain has led to mass evacuations, mostly in the northeastern state of Kelantan that borders Thailand.

Three people have died and 94,778 people have been evacuated to 527 temporary shelters in nine states, with Kelantan and neighbouring Terengganu the worst hit, according to the National Disaster Command Centre. It did not provide further details on the deaths.

Videos posted on social media showed overflowing rivers, submerged cars, and houses inundated by flood waters.

The Meteorological Department said heavy showers were expected in eight states until Saturday, with dangerous levels of rain forecast for multiple districts in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Deputy Prime Minister and National Disaster Management Committee chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday that the floods were expected to be more severe than in 2014, when nearly a quarter of a million people were forced from their homes.

"Given the severity of the situation, all parties have been mobilised to ensure the safety and welfare of flood victims," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The government has deployed more than 82,000 security personnel as well as rescue boats, four-wheel drive vehicles and helicopters, Ahmad Zahid said.

The national railway operator KTM Berhad said in a Facebook post it had suspended nine train routes on the east coast due to floods.

Amid the floods, Kelantan's tourism, culture, arts and heritage committee chairman Kamarudin Md Noor has drawn flak for saying he plans to attract tourists during the monsoon season by promoting activities such as surfing.

The intention is to help businesses affected during the monsoon season, but he has come under criticism, with people online criticising his comments as insensitive and an embarrassment.