ENOUGH ASSETS FOR KELANTAN FLOODS
Govt can add more boats if situation persists, says Shahidan
THE government will add more assets, such as boats and other necessities, if the flood situation persists in Kelantan. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said, at the moment, all assets were sufficient to cope with the situation in the state.
“Apart from that, we have also rented boats from private companies. The government is also looking into buying new boats and other things that we feel are essential during floods.
“The government feels that all relief centres should be given priority, including those that have not registered with the authorities, so that the victims will be comfortable staying at the centres,” he said after presenting food packages and other aid to 570 flood victims at SK Bunohan here yesterday.
Present was National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun.
Shahidan said the presence of Nadma, assisted by other departments and agencies, including the Welfare Department, was to ensure that the distribution went smoothly.
“Although the number of relief centres has dropped to 90 today, compared with 103 yesterday, all assets are being mobilised, including a helicopter service that will send food supplies to areas that are inaccessible by vehicles.”
On the issue that some flood victims refused to move to the relief centres, Shahidan said the authorities would do their best to coax them.
“If they still refuse to go to the flood relief centres, I will persuade them to leave their homes.”
A 26-year-old man became the first victim of this round of floods in Kelantan when he fell into an irrigation canal in Kampung Kenak near Pasir Mas and drowned yesterday.
The man, identified as Mohd Arif Mohd Nor, is said to be from Kampung Tok Sadang near Pantai Cahaya Bulan here.
Pengkalan Kubor fire station operations chief Wan Ramzi Wan Ibrahim said the incident happened about 9.30am.
“According to a witness, the victim was riding his motorcycle through a flooded area when he lost control of his vehicle and fell into the irrigation canal.
“The witness said he called out to the victim and told him to avoid the area as it was about 0.5m under water, but the victim did not heed his advice,” he said.
Wan Ramzi said eight firemen were deployed to the scene soon after they received a report on the incident.
The team found the victim’s body about 1.30pm.
“The man’s body was found about 15m from the place where he had fallen.
His motorcycle, however, has yet to be recovered,” he said.