Agong stresses early warning system, aid distribution for flood victims

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wants the environment and water ministry to pay attention to the early warning disaster system in preparation for floods, its minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said today.

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

He said Sultan Abdullah said this after being briefed on the year-end weather and flood situation at the national flood forecasting and warning centre (PRABN) 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 Nadma (the National Disaster Management Agency) and other agencies to avoid confusion and to ensure that all aid and assistance really reaches 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 ministry secretary-general Zaini Ujang, DID director-general Md Nasir Md Noh and MetMalaysia director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah.

The briefing also included a presentation by Khairy on the latest Covid-19 situation and the health ministry's preparations for the flood season, including the deployment of healthcare workers to temporary relief centres and contingency plans if public health facilities are also inundated by floods.

When asked whether the briefing touched on preparations for the 15th general election, Khairy said it was mainly on the preparations for floods.

"His Majesty only sought normal input on our preparations for the monsoon season, not on GE15. Nothing on that. His Majesty is really concerned about the people’s well-being," he said.