SEGAMAT: The government has approved a one-off allocation of RM10 million to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) for the purchase of assets and preparations for future floods.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the provision was approved at the post-Cabinet meeting yesterday.
According to him, among the assets that will be purchased are rubber boats that can facilitate rescue efforts for flood victims who are trapped, especially in shallow areas, and a seven-tonne truck.
“Currently, MAF uses combat boats, but we need rubber boats used by commandos and the Fire and Rescue Department.
“This is our preparation to face non-traditional threats and provide rescue assistance in situations like this (floods),” he said at a press conference after visiting flood victims at the temporary evacuation centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Temenggong Abdul Rahman here today.
Mohamad said views from relevant parties, including MAF, will be taken into account to identify the need to purchase assets to deal with floods and place the assets in several states that often face floods, such as Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, and Negeri Sembilan.
He said a total of 1,500 armed forces personnel were deployed to help flood victims in Johor with 28 boats, eight lorries, and 25 trucks, including MAF Medical Corps, MAF Royal Engineer Corps, and technical units.
Following the severe floods in Johor, the ministry also sent navy personnel for the first time to help flood victims along with other government agencies, he said.
On another development, Mohamad said the construction of the bailey bridge on the main road to Felda Selancar in Rompin, Pahang, will be completed soon.
“Now it will be installed, and the MAF Engineer Corps is ready to help the Public Works Department. It can be completed in a day or two,” he said.
On March 1, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the construction of a bailey bridge on the main road of Felda Selancar in Rompin, which collapsed due to the overflow of water following heavy rain. – BERNAMA
