KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — Singapore has offered its assistance to on-going flood relief efforts in Malaysia, Putrajaya announced today.
According to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, the island state has agreed to lend four of its water purifying equipment and 20 staff members to operate the machines.
The machines are to help in the production of clean drinking water for flood victims.
The Singapore government has also pledged a S$100,000 (RM260,000) contribution to support flood relief efforts here, according to a Foreign Affairs Ministry press statement.
The funds will be channelled through the Singapore Red Cross to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, the statement said.
Hishammuddin also announced today that more than 5,000 military personnel, as well as Defence Ministry assets have been deployed for the government’s flood relief operation dubbed “Ops Murni”.
The minister, who is currently in Kelantan, added that more than 220 tonnes in food supply, medication, clothing, toiletries, generators and cooking supplies have been dispatched to flood stricken states, with priorities given to Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu.
To date, the military has dispatched 89 three-tonne trucks, 62 combat boats, 57 outboard motor boats, 27 Land Rovers, 19 Tatra trucks, 13 field kitchens, two helicopters and 30 portable communications devices, said Hishammuddin.
He added that the Air Force has also deployed four EC725 helicopters, two Nuri choppers and two C130 military transport aircraft, while the Navy has deployed a team of divers and two helicopters.
Hishammuddin said that member of military reserve force and trainees from the National Service Training centres have also been roped in to assist in relief work.
Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu have been the worst hit with more than 30,000 evacuated from each state since last week. So far, 10 deaths have been recorded.
