Simulations held to prepare for situations involving GE15, floods

KUALA LUMPUR: Simulation exercises to better prepare for the floods and the 15th General Election have been conducted by the police to determine the best course of action should the worst arise, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic).

He said 21,018 policemen and 4,367 People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel had been assigned to handle the floods.

Asked if there are plans in place if polling centres are flooded, he said that such a situation was carried out in the simulation exercises.

“We have conducted comprehensive simulations – the entry and exit of workers, those on duty and flood victims.

“These have all been done (in the simulations). The police force is ready for any situation,” he said, adding that the simulations were conducted in five zones across all states.

He also said that schools, which were normally used as polling centres, generally would not be entirely for polling, which meant that other parts could be used for flood evacuation works.

Speaking at a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday, he said the ministry, via its Joint Enforcement Coordination Committee, was satisfied with the readiness of the police force’s strategic assets and manpower.

“The Maritime Enforcement Agency of Malaysia has also been tasked with providing assistance to islands, especially in sending supplies and essentials, and to also conduct air evacuations,” he said.

Other police assets that would be mobilised included 367 boats, 845 4x4 trucks and 11 air assets, he added.

Based on records, 75,000 policemen were on duty during GE14.

“For GE15, with the increase of voters, the police estimate that around 94,000 of the total of 120,000 policemen and officers will be needed,” he said.

Thus, he said partnerships with Rela would be important as they would assist the police, including in the rescue of flood victims.