PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today called on all quarters to be vigilant and avoid high-risk areas during the floods and monsoon season.

He also instructed all local authorities to monitor and increase safety precautions at recreational and resort areas in their respective states.

“The house would like to convey our condolences to all individuals and families of victims involved in the landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor, on December 16.

“The house is deeply affected and saddened by the tragedy involving 94 people comprising Malaysian citizens including children, as well as foreign nationals,” he said when giving a briefing on the landslide at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar said based on the National Disaster Management (Nadma) report, as soon as the distress call on the tragedy was received at 2.23am, coordination between the relevant agencies was promptly made.

He said the rescue team arrived at the scene at 2.58am and managed to rescue the first victim within an hour.

So far, 61 people had been rescued, 24 were found dead, while nine others are still missing.

Following the tragedy, Anwar said the government had announced immediate assistance of RM1,000 to each survivor, and RM10,000 to each family of the victim who perished.

Almost 700 members from 16 federal and state government agencies were involved in the search and rescue operations and management as soon as the Control Post on Scene was opened until today.

“Therefore, the house also wishes to extend our appreciation and thanks to all rescue agencies on ground zero, especially the Fire and Rescue Department, the police, armed forces, Civil Defence Force, People’s Volunteer Corps, and special teams such as SMART, STORM, MUST, General Operations Force and the K9 team,”  he said,

Also involved were the Health Ministry, Information Department, Social Welfare Department, Mineral and Geoscience Department, Public Works Department, Hulu Selangor Municipal Council, the Selangor government, Telekom Malaysia and other agencies.

Anwar also expressed gratitude to the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah who visited the operation centre yesterday, as well as ministers and other parties who extended their assistance and services in the area.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said continuous rain was expected to continue to persist over the east coast of the peninsula and eastern Sabah from last Saturday, as reported by the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

The house also conveyed condolences to the family of Nur Hilwa Edrea Mohd Hariz Zaifan, a two-year-old girl who became the first victim of the northeast monsoon in Terengganu. – Bernama, December 19, 2022.