KUALA LUMPUR, October 27 – A total of 69,235 security and rescue personnel are ready to be deployed to handle possible flood disasters in the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He said they comprise 21,018 personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), 18,511 from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), 14,829 from the Fire and Rescue Department, 10,510 from the Civil Defence Force (APM) and 4,367 from the Volunteer Corps Department (RELA).
“This number will be increased if it is not enough. PDRM and other agencies under the Home Ministry (KDN) like RELA, APM and MAF are ready (to be mobilised) for floods,” he said. He said this at a press conference after attending a briefing on the 15th general election and Northeast Monsoon 2022 at Bukit Aman here today. On logistic preparations, he said 1,816 PDRM boats, 1,810 four-wheel-drive vehicles, 1,596 lorries and 19 air assets would be used for flood relief operations.
“The monsoon (floods) might happen in Pahang or Kelantan and Terengganu, and although sometimes west coast states like Selangor are also hit, it does not occur simultaneously throughout Malaysia. We hope it won’t be severe. If flooding occurs in certain areas and states, the personnel to be deployed this time will be sufficient to safeguard the interests of the people, especially those affected by floods,” he added.
