CRSM elite squad to tackle recurring floods

PETALING JAYA: MCA’s Crisis Relief Squad (CRSM) has set up an elite team in each state to respond rapidly to floods so that immediate assistance can be given to those in need.

CRSM national chief Datuk Natalie Lim Chong Ly said the elite team consists of 109 members across the country, and they will be quickly mobilised to flooded areas and collect relevant information so that aid missions can be arranged.

As an example, she said Kedah CRSM’s squad was mobilised in the recent Baling flash floods.

“Together with the Baling MCA division, they led aid missions while sending necessities to flood relief centres.

“We also helped in clean-up work after the floods subsided,” said Lim in her speech when launching the CRSM elite squad at Wisma MCA yesterday.

Present at the launch were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hashim, CRSM foundation chairman Datuk Dr Lee Hong Yee and others.

The launch also saw Dr Wee handing over a team bag to the elite squad, while China’s Jinan University China donated six lifeboats to CRSM.

CRSM will be partnering with Nadma to provide training courses, which includes those on operating the lifeboats.

Looking ship-shape: Dr Wee (centre) checking the emergency boat during the CRSM elite team launch in Wisma MCA. With him are Lim (third from right) and Aminuddin (fourth right).

In his speech, Dr Wee recalled an episode with former MCA president Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai, when both of them were on a helicopter to Kuala Krai to deliver assistance to flood victims.

“We almost couldn’t land and the helicopter was forced to return to Kuala Krai.

“It was then I realised that it is very dangerous if we send help without receiving training,” he added.

Dr Wee said training for CRSM members was initially mooted by former MCA secretary-general Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

“The volunteers will be placed in a team,” he added, thanking Nadma and Jinan University for supporting CRSM’s cause.

“We are not play-acting, because we are serious about assisting Malaysians when they are in need,” he said.

The Baling floods on July 4 claimed the lives of three people, destroyed seven houses, and severely damaged another 70.

At present, more than 1,400 residents have been evacuated from the area.

The Klang Valley has also seen several flash floods recently, with the most severe taking place at Taman Sri Muda on Dec 17 last year.

During the Taman Sri Muda flood, water rose to almost the rooftops of single-storey homes, and caused a lot of damage to property, belongings and vehicles.