KUALA LUMPUR: Flood readiness will be based on past experiences, especially in the creation of temporary evacuation centres, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
"For example in Pahang, almost 800 centres have been opened compared to the previous (monsoon) period that saw around 400 plus centres opened," said the Home Minister.
"This readiness is based on the need to create enough space to cater to victims.
"The police will also deploy their assets, especially their boats and trucks.
"They are at full readiness, and for Kelantan, our attention is near Sungai Golok, Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang but based on past experiences, flood waters could also reach Tumpat after the situation returns to normal in Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang," added Saifuddin at a press conference at Bukit Aman on Tuesday (Dec 13).
He added that deploying of assets and manpower would be done accordingly with the deployment being handled at a "micro" level.
On the issue of body cameras, he said that the budget allocated for the procurement was around RM30mil.
"Hopefully, there is no problem and eventually we will get them. The need (for the cameras) and its budget must follow the process of procurement, which involves the Finance Ministry.
"We have no control in that aspect and we hope any matters that are holding back the procurement will be solved as soon as possible," he said.
Regarding the status of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Saifuddin said that the law was allowed under the Constitution and not all Sosma cases lead to prison sentences.
"People always compare Sosma with preventive law, where Sosma itself is not a preventive law. For example under Sosma, a person is detained for 28 days and by the end of that period, there are only two avenues, where the person will either be released or charged in court.
"Those arrested under Sosma and had been released; those that won their cases in court. If the courts decide that they should be freed after being charged, the police will concur with the decision," he said.
Speaking briefly on the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Bill, he said that it is targeted to go into effect in June next year.
