All prepared for monsoon season

> District engineers to work closely with other agencies to tackle problems

IPOH: The Public Works Department (PWD) has taken measures to deal with emergencies during the monsoon season.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Roslan Md Taha said there are 78 district engineers in the country who will monitor the situation.

They will work closely with concessionaires and other agencies to tackle and resolve problems, he told reporters after attending the department’s National Innovation Day here yesterday.

The operations room, known as Bilik Gerakan Bencana or Big Ben, will coordinate all efforts throughout the country, he said.

This is in addition to the 13 media channels handled by the Works Ministry and PWD, together with smartphone application, for the public to report any incidents.

“We want the public to play a role, if they are aware of any imminent danger along roads before an incident occurs, through these applications,” said Roslan.

He noted that Cameron Highlands and the Simpang Pulai-Lojing road are among the places identified as potential spots where landslides may occur as the area crosses mountains and water catchment sites.

He said the Lojing area needed to be monitored due to development and the clearing of forests.

Earlier in his speech, he said the country’s position in the Global Innovation Index 2016 saw a drop from the 32nd spot in 2015 to 35th this year.

But on the bright side, its standing in the Global Competitiveness Report for 2015/16 has improved from the 20th place to No. 18, he added.