KUALA LUMPUR: Firefighters have been deployed in anticipation of a second wave of floods due to the northeast monsoon, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said that the firemen would be among the 82,000 personnel members from various agencies deployed in flood-prone areas.
“Among the preparations made to face the second wave of flood, the Fire and Rescue Department had frozen their leaves and was already stationed on the ground.
“As of this morning, the total number of flood victims has reduced and some relief centres have been closed. We should continue to pray that the weather conditions will be fine and let’s handle the situation together,” he told reporters after receiving a strategic briefing from the Fire and Rescue Department on northeast monsoon on Wednesday (Dec 11).
Nga also said that the government had approved a total of RM156mil in relief assistance for the affected families.
He also emphasised the need for preventive measures, as opposed to rescue missions.
For this matter, he added that through the fifth Rolling Plan 2025, the government had approved the procurement of 231 new vehicles with an allocation of RM40mil.
“This included procuring 200 units of Operational Light Vehicle Unit For Emergency Use and Heavy Duty and Light Fire Fighting Vehicle (LFFV) as well as replacing five Canine Rescue Tender units,” he said.
To complement the procurement of the new vehicles, Nga also said that a total of RM33.69mil was also earmarked for maintenance.
He added that the auxiliary fire and rescue department (PBS) nationwide would also receive an increase in allowance worth RM5,000 per team to further enhance the operations.
“These allocations would be provided to active PBS nationwide,” he said.
During the briefing, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said that the department has deployed 13,556 personnel members throughout the country.
They would also be assisted by 2,147 auxiliary officers and 8,421 volunteer officers, comprising 368 teams nationwide.
