KOTA MARUDU: The State Government will consider a proposal to build special permanent relief centres (PPS), especially in flood-prone areas, said Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor.
He said some districts that were often hit by floods faced the problem of lack of PPS to accommodate all the victims.
“If this (special PPS) is the main requirement each time there is a flood, then the government will consider the proposal as there are not enough or no temporary relief centres (in the flood-affected areas),” he said after handing out food baskets and RM1,000 in compassionate cash aid to heads of the flood-affected households, Wednesday. He was asked to comment on the suggestion made by some elected representatives in the flood-affected districts on the need to build special PPS as their existing number is insufficient, apart from easing the management of flood victims.
Hajiji also urged all the relevant departments such as the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Public Works Department and the local authorities in Sabah to make comprehensive plans to reduce the impact and implications of flood disasters in the future by taking into account the aspect of flood mitigation.
“This includes plans to deepen the rivers as well as maintaining the irrigation and drainage infrastructure such as drains that are clogged in each affected district,” he added.
On a related development, Hajiji also asked the management committee of the respective district Disaster Operations Control Centres (PKOB) to assess the damage to basic facilities such as bridges and houses.
Hajiji said the government would also channel RM5,000 in aid to repair the damaged houses, as well as several other financial assistance including for the purchase of basic necessities and to repair damaged vehicles, besides the RM1,000 cash assistance to all heads of household affected by the floods.
“Assistance to victims who suffer damage to their houses will be given after the assessment reports are submitted by the district officer as the chairman of the PKOB committee. The damage assessment is being done,” he added.
The continuous heavy rain since last week has resulted in Pitas, Kota Marudu, Paitan, Telupid, Beluran and Sandakan being hit by floods.
Meanwhile State and district level disaster operation control centres in Sarawak and Sabah have been ordered to make preparations, including activating on-site control posts, to face the possibility of floods.
National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) said this followed a forecast of a monsoon surge capable of bringing continuous rain issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
Nadma said the Social Welfare Department needed to ensure the availability of supplies for forward bases in Sabah and Sarawak in the event of flooding.
A significant weather forecast for the period of January 6 to 12 issued by MetMalaysia today stated that a cold front is expected to occur in Sarawak from Sunday (January 9).
The department said that the conditions would cause increased humidity that will potentially lead to continuous rain and flooding, especially in the central and west divisions of Sarawak, and at the same time, thunderstorms may occur throughout the country in the mornings and evenings till night.
“The Mineral and Geoscience Department also reported five more landslides, three in Sabah and one each in Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan, bringing the total of landslides nationwide throughout the North-east Monsoon period to 250 cases,” the statement read.
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