ARMY READY TO BOOST PERSONNEL FOR FLOOD RESCUE OPERATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The army is prepared to increase the deployment of officers and personnel for flood rescue operations should the situation in several states worsen due to the ongoing Northeast Monsoon (MTL).

Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said 192 officers and 3,552 personnel are on standby under Op Murni to assist other agencies coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

He said all the personnel are equipped with various tools and equipment, including trucks, combat boats, and other rescue gear, ready to be mobilised at any time to assist in flood rescue efforts.

“The army adheres to the principle of being first on site. As early as October, we issued initial directives to activate all formations to prepare their personnel and equipment while identifying flood hotspot areas.

“To date, we have deployed 31 officers and 350 personnel, along with 17 one-tonne trucks, 16 three-tonne trucks and 15 boats in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which have been severely affected by floods,” he said during a press conference following a promotion ceremony for a soldier who saved four teenagers from almost drowning in Puncak Alam on Nov 24. The event took place at Wisma Pertahanan today.

Hafizuddeain noted that flood rescue efforts are collaborative operations involving multiple agencies, with the army ready to assist NADMA as the lead agency.

“We will continuously assess the situation. If the floods worsen, the army is always ready to increase personnel and equipment as needed to support other authorities in rescuing flood victims. Whatever it takes, we are always ready to help,” he said.

Earlier, the Social Welfare Department’s Disaster Info Portal reported a sharp increase in flood evacuees across several states, with Kelantan the worst hit with 59,232 people relocated to 221 temporary relief centres (PPS) this morning, compared to 50,947 individuals in 207 PPS last night.

-- BERNAMA