SHAH ALAM: More than 600 families of members of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in Selangor were affected by the recent floods.

       “Despite also being personally hit by the disaster, members of the police force in the state continue to perform their duties on the ground,” said Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Comm Datuk Ramli Din.

       He said that in Selangor alone, 632 families of their personnel were affected, adding that the number includes both law enforcers and civilians.

       “Today, we received 15 tonnes of rice, new clothes and donations for flood victims. We will prioritise these for families of members of the PDRM of all districts (in Selangor).

       “We understand that policing work during natural disasters is very important. But for some of them, as they perform rescue work in aid of other victims, they and their families are just as affected by these floods.

       “It is hoped that these donations will help and we will also be giving out aid to victims among the public,” he told reporters yesterday after the Selangor police received donations from six parties including the Retired Senior Police Officers Association of Malaysia (Respa).

       Comm Ramli said the aid will be handed out as soon as possible, with priority to victims who are returning to their homes from evacuation centres.

       “This is the time when they need it the most,” he added.

       On crime prevention patrols to prevent further looting, Comm Ramli said patrols are being conducted in badly hit areas such as Taman Sri Muda here.

       “The police are monitoring premises and houses left behind during their patrols. It’s an issue that has to be emphasised in the future,” he said.