GOF prepared for northeast monsoon
MIRI: The 12th Battalion General Operations Force (GOF) is prepared to face the wrath the northeast monsoon which is expected from November to March next year.
Its commanding officer Supt Tan Hiap Seng said the preparations were made in areas of their (staff), assets and logistics.
“We have 26 officers ready for this operation in areas stretching from Tatau to Lawas, and we are prepared to assist whenever and wherever we are needed,” he told reporters after their monthly assembly here yesterday.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah announced recently that a total of 610 evacuation centres capable of accommodating 203,940 people would be provided throughout Sarawak.
Uggah, also the chairman of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, said seven agencies comprising 15,152 personnel would be involved in the operation. Also, the Welfare Department would provide services in 16 areas namely Kuching ( 2), Kapit (4), Bintulu ( 3) and Miri (7).
He also said five helicopters would be used – two each from the armed forces and Fire and Rescue Department, and one from the police.
In addition, there would also be 283 boats, 109 ambulances, 549 four-wheel- drive vehicles, 172 lorries, and five drones for rescue and delivery of food supplies to the flood victims.