Shahidan (centre) shares a light moment with APM honorary officers after the pinning of ranks and presentation at Parliament Building. Seen at left is Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Seri Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Preparations to face the eventuality of floods are at a maximum level even though flood disasters are expected to be at a moderate level.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said various proactive measures would be taken, including evacuating residents a day earlier besides moving all essentials such as food to a collection centre before a disaster occured in view of the unpredictable weather trend.
“The collection centre for food items will be placed according to zones involving Civil Defence Department (APM) offices in the communities and districts in the states concerned,” he said.
He told reporters this after the pinning of ranks and presentation of APM honorary officers appointment letters to members of Parliament at Parliament Building here yesterday.
Shahidan said the appointment had an exclusive purpose for these MPs in continuing their duties as community leaders in their constituencies.
“MPs can play a role as a facilitator for their work in instilling safety awareness and disaster preparedness in their areas besides becoming a good example of leadership tbrough the spirit of volunteerism,” he said.
At the ceremony, 19 out of the 137 MPs who received their letters of appointment as APM honorary officers, including Datuk Seri Richard Riot (Serian), Datuk Seri Joseph Kurup (Pensiangan) and Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun (Selangau), were appointed as honorary deputy commissioners.
Other MPs were Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling), Mary Yap Kain Ching (Tawau), Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique (Tenggara), Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said (Kuala Krau) and Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Lawas).
Shahidan said the pinning of ranks and presentation of appointment letters for the remaining MPs would be held soon. — Bernama