KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — The government had issued a warning last Wednesday predicting heavy rainfall in Penang that caused massive floods in the state over the weekend, a deputy minister said today.

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah said that a yellow notice warning was issued through weather forecast reports aired on television channels.

"If you watched television, you would know that a yellow notice was issued on November 1, so warning was given,” he said, while replying to Tan Kok Wai (DAP-Cheras) during question time in Dewan Rakyat.

Tan had asked the government about its "broken promises” to give prior warnings regarding adverse weather conditions.

Continuous rain that lasted for 15 hours in Penang last Saturday caused flooding across the state, killing at least seven people so far.

Abu Bakar also said that the forecast was updated at 6pm on November 4, warning that the rainfall would be persistent.

"This is what we call forecast. So, please do not simply say things,” he said.