Hishammuddin (left) attending a briefing on the Defence Ministry’s Flood Preparations yesterday. — Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA: All hospitals under the Health Ministry have been equipped with the necessities to face the flood situation and able to sustain up to two weeks, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam.
He said the ministry had placed its systems on standby with all the necessities to safeguard its hospitals against floods.
“For example, generators, ensuring water supply, medication and others so that our hospitals will be able to sustain the flood situation. Our plan since the experience last year is for our hospitals to be able to sustain for up to two weeks,” he told reporters when asked about the ministry’s preparations to face the floods during this monsoon season.
On Friday, MetMalaysia had issued the red and orange level weather warnings for East Coast states and Johor, where heavy rains are expected.
The red level alert had been issued for Kota Baharu, Pasir Puteh, Bachok and Tumpat in Kelantan while in Terengganu districts alerted are Besut, Setiu, Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kemaman.
Separately, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and its assets are fully prepared to be deployed to face the flood season this year.
Hishammuddin said the ministry had also set up a Disaster Management Steering Committee and activated its ‘War Room’ to monitor the monsoon season.
“The committee was established to ensure information received was accurate to facilitate the channeling of flood assistance effectively and to reach those in need.
“The War Room, activated on Nov 16, would act as the Mindef Disaster Operation Room to monitor the flood situation nationwide,” he told reporters after attending a briefing on the Defence Ministry’s Flood Preparations here yesterday.
He said the armed forces would be deploying 1,572 officers and 27,021 personnel of various ranks to cope with the monsoon season this year.
“Apart from that, the armed forces will also be mobilising 1,487 assets as preparations for the floods this season.
“The assets include 358 boats, 852 three-tonne trucks, 25 seven-tonne trucks, 118 ambulances, one CN 235, one C130 aircraft, nine helicopters, 12 ships, eight Navy CB90 assault boats, two sets of compact 100 bridge, 22 sets of floatable platform as well as 79 field kitchens,” he said.
Hishammuddin said the ministry was also providing a contribution collection centre for flood victims and that so far a collection centre had been opened at the Defence Reserve Depot in Sungai Buloh. — Bernama