KUALA LUMPUR: Preparations are already in place, including the deployment of security personnel and identifying temporary evacuation centres (PPS) to face the possibility of floods during the general election, said the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said sufficient personnel – almost 70,000 of them – and 6,010 PPS had been identified in the event of a flood.
The Prime Minister said from the number of premises assigned as PPS, some 2,000 locations would also double as voting centres.
“In case of floods, we will make the necessary arrangements so that the function of these centres will not be disrupted. For example, for a PPS located at a school, we might allocate different buildings for flood relief to avoid overlap,” he told reporters after attending a briefing by the police on preparations for the 15th General Election and monsoon season, at Bukit Aman.
Also present at the briefing were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and his deputy Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
Ismail Sabri said district officers had been asked to find alternative locations for PPS such as multi-purpose halls in their area in case of an overlap.
“But if floods were to occur, they will not happen all at once nationwide. Be it as it may, we have made necessary preparations,” he said.
All geared up: Ismail Sabri speaking during the briefing by the police on preparations for GE15 and monsoon season at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. With him is Acryl Sani. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
He said the police, along with other relevant agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department and the Armed Forces, had made ample preparations to face the possibility of floods.
A total of 21,018 police officers and personnel, 18,511 Armed Forces personnel and 14,829 fire and rescue personnel have been put on standby to be deployed.
On logistic preparations, he said 1,816 PDRM boats, 1,810 four-wheel-drive vehicles, 1,596 lorries and 19 air assets would be used for flood relief operations.
“The monsoon (floods) may happen in Pahang or Kelantan and Terengganu, and although sometimes west coast states like Selangor are also hit, it does not occur simultaneously throughout Malaysia.
“If flooding occurs in certain areas and states, the personnel to be deployed this time will be sufficient to safeguard the interests of the people, especially those affected by floods,” he added.
Ismail Sabri said the number of personnel would be increased according to the situation if floods strike on an unusually massive scale throughout the country.
He also said that a sufficient number of police personnel would be on duty for GE15.
He said 5,661 officers and personnel would be deployed for early voting while 31,183 others would be deployed on nomination day.
For the Nov 19 polling day, 43,716 officers and personnel will be on duty.
