Civil Defence Force to be first responders in event of flooding

SIBU: The Civil Defence Force (Apam) will be the first responders in the event of flooding here.

Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, who is Divisional Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the committee is monitoring the situation closely.

“If it warrants further action, we will mobilise departments such as the army, police and Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department), Welfare Department. We are on stand-by,” he told thesundaypost after the Sacred Heart Old Students Association (Shosa) Chinese New Year committee gathering recently.

He said the divisional disaster management directory lists all possible or potential relief centres as well as medical teams and all other departments.

“We have the vehicle numbers, even the drivers’ handphone numbers. So, with all this, we are ready,” he said.

So far this year there have been incidences of flash floods in resettlement areas such as Kampung Jeriah, while Rumah Sigan in Selangau saw its access road under two to three feet of water last month.

“It happened on the night of Jan 29 when there was a king tide and assistance was delivered on Jan 30. Fortytwo persons from eight families were affected. So, we mobilised Apam, army, Welfare Department and Selangau District office to help them,” Hii said.

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (seated seventh right) pays a Chinese New Year visit on Kapit Foochow Association chairman Sii Bang Ee (seated eighth right) at his residence in Taman Thiam Chong, Kapit on...