KUALA LUMPUR: Over 61,000 personnel members from five separate agencies are ready to be deployed if flooding occurs during the upcoming monsoon season.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said careful planning was done as the northeast monsoon was expected to start earlier this year, from November to March next year.
"High-risk areas in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Sarawak have been identified including 5,648 hotspots at 163 districts nationwide.
"Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali has been appointed as the central disaster operations commander," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 25).
He said police were ready to deploy their assets in the event of flooding including 503 boats, 497 lorries, 17 ambulances and vans, 15 jet skis, 6,028 life jackets, as well as eight aircraft.
"We are also working closely with other agencies including the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force and Rela to ensure rescue and aid missions can be conducted swiftly.
"19,085 policemen are at the ready while the MAF will deploy 4,205 personnel members.
"The Fire and Rescue Department has also arranged for 24,114 personnel members to be deployed while 10,510 Civil Defence Force personnel members are also involved," he said, adding that Rela would also deploy 3,925 personnel members in the event of flooding.
He said the police and other agencies would take swift action if flooding does occur.
"Those living in high-risk areas are advised to cooperate and comply with any instructions from the authorities especially if orders to evacuate are given in order to avoid any untoward incidents," he said.
