SUNGAI BESAR: The government is working to set up nine permanent evacuation centres (PPK) to mitigate the damage to schools being used as temporary relief centres (PPS) during floods, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said one PPK will be set up in each high-risk state to address the high maintenance costs incurred after the disaster.
“We found that the cost of renovating schools that were used as PPS was high, especially when classrooms had to be renovated as some schools did not have halls,” Ahmad Zahid said when met by reporters after the Rural Road project handover ceremony here yesterday.
Previously, National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said the government planned to build nine PPKs nationwide, complete with basic facilities for flood victims.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said 32 Bailey bridges are being built in flood-affected locations nationwide.
He said currently, the Public Works Department (JKR), in collaboration with the Malaysian Army Corps of Engineers, is implementing soil testing processes at seven locations, among others.
“These Bailey bridges will be mobilised to areas where bridges or roads have collapsed and are impassable.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to JKR and the Army Corps of Engineers for their cooperation,” he said, Bernama reported.
He said two Bailey bridges have already been installed in Kelantan, namely in Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas.
Regarding the handover of the project, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said that RM17.7mil has been allocated to upgrading works for Jalan Nipah, Tali Air 13 and Peket 100 in the Sabak Bernam district.
He said this involved a savings of RM400,000 from the original allocation of RM18.1mil.
Ahmad Zahid added that the savings should serve as a model for JKR in other districts as such a feat can be achieved through effective monitoring by the contractor, JKR and the ministry, ultimately benefiting the people.
