DPM: Agencies ready to tackle floods

DATUK Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has given a 10 out of 10 rating to disaster management agencies over their preparations to face a second wave of floods, particularly in the east coast states.

The Deputy Prime Minister said all related agencies had mobilised their assets in floodprone areas and prepared a checklist of aid that would be distributed to affected victims.

“From a scale of one to 10, the agencies stand at 10 in terms of preparedness level,” he said after closing the 7th Barisan Nasional Internship Programme in Parliament yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said coordination was vital so that there would not be any overlapping of tasks when providing aid to victims.

“We have given respective tasks and responsibilities to each agency,” he said.

“The assets have also been placed near flood-prone areas and we will continue to monitor the situation closely before mobilising them,” he added.

Currently, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim is in the east coast states to monitor the evacuation process and distribution of aid.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the early warnings issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department helped the agencies coordinate rescue efforts efficiently.

Future leaders: Dr Ahmad Zahid sharing a light moment with participants at the closing ceremony of the 7th Barisan Nasional Internship Programme at the Parliament building.