Bomba identifies almost 4,800 flood-prone areas nationwide

KUALA NERUS: The Fire and Rescue Department has identified 4,795 flood-prone areas in the country.

Its operations director Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman said the country is currently in the north-east monsoon transition season which is bringing heavy rain and causing floods to several states, including Sabah, Sarawak and the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

The Department said all its personnel, assets and standard operating procedures are ready to face any potential disaster.

"We will collaborate with the Malaysian Meteorological Department to monitor and assess the weather every three hours.

"Weather forecasts, rainfall and wind condition data will be gathered by the operations management centre at headquarters as well as in each state to facilitate the necessary implementation or precautionary measures," he told reporters after the Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Talk (BiGIAR) 2023 for the Eastern Zone held here on Tuesday (Sept 26).

A total of 500 participants, including firemen, government agency employees and corporate sector staff from Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, took part.

Ahmad Izram added that 7,920 volunteer firefighters nationwide would support flood relief efforts, in addition to the 14,000 permanent officers and personnel.

In another development, Ahmad Izram said 41 Fire Department officers have faced disciplinary action for various cases of misconduct including drug abuse, absenteeism, engaging in illicit relationships, close proximity (khalwat), sexual crimes, corruption and abuse of power from January this year.

"Action taken were dismissal, fines, salary suspension, salary reduction and revocation of emolument rights," he said.

The department also received 50 complaints since January involving its personnel, with the majority of them related to abuse of power, Ahmad Izram added. – Bernama