KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has reassured the public that the police will safeguard the properties of flood victims.
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Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it is the police duty to do so regardless of the weather and situation.
“Be it during storms, rain, typhoons and even during peacetime, it is the police duty,” he told a press conference after a working visit to the Bukit Aman police headquarters here today.
Also present were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
Saifuddin was on his maiden working visit to Bukit Aman. He and his deputy were briefed on matters related to police duties, including its operations during the floods.
“I was briefed on police duties and organisational structure, as well as their preparedness for the floods, particularly on the police segment of responsibility.
“As we know, Kelantan and Pahang are experiencing floods and all assets are deployed with the main objective of safeguarding lives and properties.”
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He said the police will also deploy their assets including rescue boats, trucks and other necessities while also allocating a number of police personnel to assist in the effort.
He said that flood preparations were a standard procedure which was guided by past experiences.
“Take Pahang for example, in the last monsoon season, we had around 400 flood evacuation centres and now we have close to 800 centres to cater to evacuees.
“Based on the past experiences, we have projected the logistical requirements of flood evacuation centres as it is an essential point right after they are evacuated.”
Saifuddin said these efforts were strengthened with the inclusion of 69,597 personnel from multiple agencies consisting of police (18,170), armed forces (21,721), Fire and Rescue Department (14,829), Civil Defence Force (10,510) and People’s Volunteer Corps or Rela ( 4,367).
The assets on standby for the floods include 1,831 boats, 1,827 four-wheel drive vehicles, 1,967 trucks and 46 air assets.-NST