YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah wants the Environment and Water Ministry to pay attention to the disaster early warning system in preparation for floods.

Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the king also decreed that attention should be given to the process of distributing aid and assistance to the people if disasters occur.

He said the Agong said this after being briefed on the year-end weather and flood situation at the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.

“During the briefing, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) also presented their data, preparations and list of flood hotspots to His Majesty.

“His Majesty also wanted coordination in terms of assistance between the National Disaster Management Agency and other agencies to avoid confusion, and to ensure that all aid and assistance really reach the victims,” he told reporters after the briefing, which was also attended by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

Also present were Environment and Water Ministry secretary-general Dr Zaini Ujang, DID director-general Dr Md Nasir Md Noh and MetMalaysia director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah.

The briefing also includes a presentation by Khairy on the latest Covid-19 situation and the preparations made by the Health Ministry in facing the monsoon season, including the deployment of healthcare workers to temporary relief centres and a contingency plan if public health facilities were also inundated by floodwaters.

When asked whether the briefing also touched on the preparation for the next general election, Khairy said it was mainly on the preparations for floods.

“His Majesty only seeks normal input on our preparation for the monsoon season, not on GE15. Nothing on that. His Majesty is really concerned about the people’s well-being,” he said. – Bernama, October 6, 2022.