Army will repair houses damaged by floods – Hisham
GEORGE TOWN: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will focus on flood relief work in Penang to that all the victims of the flash floods receive the necessary aid.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said observation from the air found that the flood situation in the state has recovered and the flood water has receded.
“Our focus is on post-flood work such as clearing blocked roads and helping in cleaning up the affected areas. I have urged the Army chief, General Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim and the Royal Engineer’s Army Regiment to repair the damaged houses and infrastructure,” he said after visiting flood victims at Flat Taman Penang Free School with Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) chief, General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, here yesterday.
Among the items given out to the flood victims were mattresses, water pumps, blankets, baby diapers, mineral water and canned food.
Hishammuddin said the ATM is prepared to mobilise its personnel and assets at any time for flood relief operation.
“The recent flash floods should serve as a lesson to the Penang state government. We should look for the real cause of the floods so that we can prevent a repeat,” he added.
About 200 ATM officers and personnel under the Second Infantry Division are involved in the post-flood operation in Penang.
Seven people were killed in the massive flash floods on Nov 4 (Saturday).
In Kulim, a flood victim was grateful for the aid from the government and agencies such as the Civil Defense Force, Royal Malaysian Police, the Social Welfare Department and the Fire and Rescue Department.
“I am satisfied with the services and aid given. When the flood waters rose, the police asked us to move out to the relief centres where we received various types of aid,” said Salbiah Arifin to Bernama at the relief centre of Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Tok Dik, here yesterday.
Salbiah,56, from Kampung Manggis, was among the 450 flood victims who received various aid from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who came calling at the flood relief centre yesterday.
The Menteri Besar of Kedah, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, was also present.
Ten relief centres were opened in Kulim district to accommodate some 1,105 flood victims.