PUTRAJAYA: The country’s border security remains at the highest level as floods continue to affect several states, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said border control operations involving the Malaysian Armed Forces and the police are proceeding without disruption.
“Border patrols are ongoing as usual, with Border Regiment personnel and General Operations Force (GOF) units maintaining strict surveillance at the borders,” he said after chairing an emergency meeting on flood management here yesterday.
Earlier, GOF Southeast brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said five out of 13 static posts under Ops Taring Wawasan along the Malaysia-Thai border at Sungai Golok had been temporarily closed due to rising floodwaters.
“The water levels have reached the floors of these posts, making them unsafe for GOF personnel to operate,” he said, reported Bernama.
On the plight of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates affected by the floods, Ahmad Zahid said the Education Ministry has issued specific guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to assist them.
“I also urge flood victims to closely monitor their children during this challenging season.”
The SPM 2024 examinations are from Dec 2 to Feb 6 next year.
As of 3.15pm yesterday, data from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) indicated that 49,017 flood victims from 14,901 families have been evacuated to 400 temporary relief centres in six states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Johor, Perlis and Kedah.
Ahmad Zahid said 82,794 personnel have been deployed to the flood-ridden states, especially in the East Coast.
He added the government has identified 8,481 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) capable of accommodating 2.1 million evacuees nationwide in preparation for this year’s northeast monsoon.
“In Kelantan, we have 448 PPS that can accommodate 175,000 people, while in Terengganu, 749 PPS can cater to approximately 214,000 evacuees.
“Given the severity of the situation, all parties have been mobilised to ensure the safety and welfare of flood victims.”
He added that various assets from security forces have been deployed, including 2,031 rescue boats, 1,399 four-wheel-drive vehicles, and 31 helicopters.
Terengganu recorded its first victim when an elderly man drowned while fishing in a padi field area in Kampung Amir in Jertih.
State police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said the body of Tuan Jusoh Tuan Hassan, 66, a retired officer from the Besut Veterinary Services Department, was found in a flood-affected area.
