Floods: Boarding schools, premises with proper facilities will be first choice for relief centres

PETALING JAYA: Public premises and boarding schools with adequate facilities will be the first choice for temporary flood relief centres from Oct 1 as the nation gears up for monsoon season, says Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali (pic).

The Chief Secretary to the Government said the Cabinet discussed flood preparations on Wednesday (Sept 21) and agreed that any relocation operations must prioritise the welfare and comfort of all members of the Malaysian Family.

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"The meeting was informed that the Education Ministry and all relevant agencies had given their approval to use their public premises and boarding schools with complete and comfortable facilities to be the main choice for temporary relief centres," he said in a statement.

Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang are expected to experience heavy rains from November to December while Johor, Sabah and Sarawak are expected to experience similar weather from December to January.

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The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has also forecast higher rainfall during the north-east monsoon later this year.

Mohd Zuki added that to ensure the smoothness of operations on the ground, the National Security Council Directive 20 states that the district officer, as the chairman of the district disaster management committee, has the power to identify and declare any location that can be made a relief centre.

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"Various government agencies through the disaster management committee at all levels will continue to work together to boost preparations in facing any natural disasters.

"This is to ensure that those affected will have comfortable accommodation in a secure location," he added.