Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Photo: bernama.com)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – In order to minimisedamage caused by annual floods, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that permanent disaster relief centres (PPKB) will be established immediately, with the pilotproject to begin in nine states in the country.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister,said the PPKB involves a ceiling cost of 5 million MYR (1.1 million USD) foreach centre and is set to provide better protection for flood victims thantemporary relief centres (PPS).
During the question time at the National Assemblyon November 28, he said the PPKB can also be a community activity centreoutside the flood season.
He said that pre-flood preparations have also beenstepped up through the community-based disaster risk management, and that eventhe Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has identified more than 5,000flood hotspots.
Functional units have activated operation controlrooms, forecast centres and flood warnings which will operate 24 hours a day, setup 73 mobile pumps at all flood hotspots nationwide, and upgraded theflood warning siren system and web camera stations, he added.
Besides, more than 66,00 officers and personnel fromvarious branches of government agencies at all levels are on standby,comprising the Malaysian armed forces, police, and fire and rescue department,Civil Defence Force and the People’s Volunteer Corps, with the support of25,440 units of various assets.
In addition, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) is alsoready to activate more than 8,000 temporary relief centres which canaccommodate 1.6 million evacuees nationwide./.
