PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today directed district disaster management committees (JPBD) to be immediately activated to coordinate response services at all disaster-prone areas in view of potential floods due to the northeast monsoon.

Ismail, who chaired the central disaster management committee meeting today, said the decision to activate JPBD was agreed during the meeting, which was attended by Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, menteris’ besar, chief ministers and state secretaries who serve as state disaster management committee (JPBN) chairmen as well as agencies involved.

“The function of JPBD is very important to carry out rescue operations and provide assistance to victims affected by such disaster in their respective locations while the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and JPBN will act in similar capacities at state and national levels,” he said in a statement issued after the meeting.

The monsoon season normally brings about heavy rain that causes severe floods in coastal states, especially those in the east coast.

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia), the monsoon season normally starts from September to November.

MET Malaysia, however, expects the 2022/2023 monsoon season to start in November 2022 and carry on till March 2023.

According to the department’s forecast, heavy rain is expected in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang from November to December 2022 while Johor, Sabah and Sarawak are expected to face the monsoon from December 2022 to January 2023.

In terms of managing flood victims, Ismail said the Social Welfare Department has been directed to activate 6,010 temporary relief centres with a capacity of housing 1,620,855 victims throughout the country.

He said the government had allocated RM2.59 million to upgrade facilities at all relief centres, especially toilets and shower rooms.

“The Education Ministry has been urged to allow vacant campuses and hostels to be used as relief centres for those affected by floods or natural disaster, especially senior citizens, children and women,” he said.

Ismail said the Social Welfare Department needs to prepare food for victims during the first 24 hours as well as essential items like baby and adult pampers for babies and senior citizens, who are evacuated to relief centres.

He said Nadma had distributed 59,350 food kits and 127,272 cubicle tents to ensure relief centres are well equipped and ready to serve flood victims.

He said RM8 million has been allocated for disaster operations management 2022/2023 to JPBN at 160 districts and another RM4.8 million has been allocated to buy 320 fibre boats and engines to assist initial responders during natural disasters.

He said another 22,622 water assets like boats, boat trailers and jet ski from all agencies throughout the country will be available during the same period.

“All these assets must be well coordinated to ensure rescue operations can be carried out smoothly. JPBN and JPBD must also make sure all early warning systems are efficiently functioning at locations that are disaster prone,” he said.

Ismail said 79,549 officers and rescue operations staffers at all levels will be on standby to provide assistance.

He said in efforts to strengthen the Keluarga Malaysia initiative, 155 programmes involving community disaster risk management committees involving 12,534 participants, comprising community leaders, youth and civil society groups, will be carried out. – Bernama, September 12, 2022.