PUTRAJAYA, Sept 12 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today directed District Disaster Management Committees (JPBD) to be immediately activated to coordinate immediate response services at all disaster prone areas in view of potential floods due to the North-east Monsoon.

The prime minister 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 Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, mentris’ 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 as well as 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 today.

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

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the monsoon season normally starts from September to November. MetMalaysia however, expects the 2022/2023 monsoon season to start in November 2022 and carry on till March 2023.

According to MET’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 Sabri said the Social Welfare Department has been directed to activate 6,010 Temporary Relief Centres (PPS) with a capacity of housing 1,620,855 victims throughout the country.

Ismail Sabri said the government had allocated RM2.59 million to upgrade facilities at all PPS, especially toilets and shower rooms.

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

He added that the JKM need to prepare food for victims during the first 24 hours, as well as essential items like baby and adult diapers for babies and senior citizens, who are evacuated to relief centres.

The prime minister 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.

Ismail Sabri 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 added that another 22,622 water assets like boats, boat trailers and jet skis 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.

The prime minister said 79,549 officers and rescue operations personnel at all levels will be on standby to react and provide assistance with the various assets made available.

He said in efforts to strengthen the Keluarga Malaysia initiative, 155 programmes involving Community Disaster Risk Management Committees (CBDRM) involving 12,534 participants comprising community leaders, youth and non-governmental organisations will be carried out. — Bernama