PORT DICKSON: A total of 2,800 personnel from the Malaysian Army are ready to be mobilised to assist flood victims in Sabah and Sarawak, says Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
The Chief of Army added that the 1st Division in Sarawak and the 5th Division in Sabah have already been mobilised to provide aid.
"The floods in Sarawak involve 13 districts. We have tasked the Eastern Field Commander with coordinating efforts among all relevant security agencies. Alhamdulillah, our personnel's presence has greatly assisted other enforcement bodies.
"Although we are not the primary agency responsible for disaster management, our policy is to act as an immediate responder," he told reporters after witnessing the Graduation Parade of Male Recruits (Series 201/2024) and Female Recruits (Series 49/2024), involving 1,339 soldiers at the Army Basic Training Centre (Pusasda) parade ground here on Saturday (Feb 1).
According to a report issued by the Disaster Operations Control Centre and National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), as at noon Saturday, 26 districts in Sarawak and Sabah are affected by floods, with the number of evacuees dropping to 15,009 people from 4,416 families housed in 87 relief centres compared to 17,637 people at 6am. - Bernama
