MIRI: The state government is ready to set up food depots at low-lying areas to ensure that all basic necessities are in place in times of flood.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the state was ready for the coming unpredictable weather.
“The setting up of the food depots will be finalised at the end of this month,” said Dr Chan who is also State Relief Disaster Committee chairman during an award presentation ceremony at SK St Columba here yesterday morning.
The flood-prone areas in Ulu Baram, Sibu and Bau will have such food depots. This will be in the agenda of the next meeting of the disaster committee.
Dr Chan said during a flood, roads can become impassable to vehicles, so food depots in these areas would be able to distribute food and other necessities to victims.
He made these comments with reference to the latest flood in Peninsular Malaysia where Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said food depots ought to be set up in states which could be hit by flood again.
He said that the depots could store rice, sugar, flour, milk, and canned and fresh food. Muhyiddin also wanted precautions to be taken to ensure that safety, security and logistical measures were in place during serious flooding.
“A second wave of flood is usually greater than the first. Thus I have issued a directive to the National Security Council to ensure that preparations are well in place to tackle the situation,” he said.
Muhyiddin was commenting on information about the possibility of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu being hit by flood again.
He said the council, which coordinates search and rescue operations by the police, army and relevant ministries, had been directed to come up with measures to overcome worsening flood situations.
“The authorities have specific instructions on what they should do, especially in preventing villagers from being trapped by flood waters.
“The people should be ready to be evacuated and not hesitate when they are directed to move from their houses,” he said.
Dr Chan, who is also Minister of Industrial Development and Minister of Tourism and Heritage, said the people of Sarawak, especially those staying in the low-lying areas, must be ready for the unpredictable weather.
He said residents must know what to do including moving to safer places.
Earlier on, at the presentation of excellence awards, he talked about the importance of building the country’s human capital for achieving the objectives of Vision 2020.
Efforts by all parties, school authorities and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) must be concerted to ensure that children not only excel academically but also in co-curricular activities, he said.