Over 20,000 police officers, personnel on standby for floods

The police are ready to mobilise some 21,019 officers and personnel nationwide in preparation for the monsoon floods, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin says.
 
He said 1,681 assets, including 367 boats, 845 four-wheel-drive vehicles, 454 lorries and 11 air assets were also ready to be dispatched according to need and current developments.
 
"I have also asked all state and district police chiefs to make early preparations to lead the flood operations centres in their respective areas. 

"In addition, 4,367 officers and personnel from the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), along with assets of 41 three-tonne lorries and 36 four-wheel-drive vehicles are on standby mode," he told a special media conference on flood operations in Bukit Aman yesterday.
 
Hamzah said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) meanwhile had been tasked with providing flood relief assistance such as food supplies and essential items for flood-hit islands as well as flight evacuations. 

He said there had been reports of floods in Tanjung Karang in Selangor; Baling in Kedah; and Kuala Pilah in Negeri Sembilan as well as several areas in Sabah and Sarawak.

"Evacuation centres have been opened in those areas and relief efforts are being carried out," he said. 

Meanwhile, Hamzah said Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani had indicated that the police would face constraints in its relief operations if floods strike during the 15th general election (GE15). 

He said for the polls, the police would assign over 94,000 of its 120,000 personnel compared to almost 75,000 during GE14 following the automatic registration of those aged 18 and above as voters.

"Those who require information regarding the flood situation can contact the police control centre at 03-2266 3333/ 03-2266 3444/ 03-2266 3451 or MERS 999," he said.