KUALA LUMPUR: The Armed Forces has deployed personnel and assets to 86 locations nationwide to assist the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and other relevant agencies following the recent massive floods that hit several states in the country, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

       The deployment consisted of 115 officers and 2,768 personnel as well as assets including six seven-tonne trucks, 160 three-tonne trucks, 129 boats and 109 boat engines, the Defence Minister said.

       “The planning will be updated from time to time based on the flood situation in the respective states or areas.

       “I, along with the top leadership in the military and the ministry, will ensure that the Armed Forces will continue all efforts for the safety of the people during the floods,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       The Senior Minister also said that the Armed Forces would increase its readiness in preparation for a second wave of floods forecasted to hit several states.

       The Armed Forces and his ministry, he said, were following reports by the Meteorological Department closely on the possibility of continuous rain from year-end until Jan 6, which may trigger a second wave of floods, affecting Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

       At the ready: Hishammuddin (in blue) visiting the Armed Forces base at Pengkalan Chepa in Kota Baru, Kelantan. — Bernama

       “I have instructed the Armed Forces chief to ensure that the level of preparedness, especially in the states concerned, is at the highest,” he said.

       Hishammuddin noted that the preparedness at such level was crucial to ensure personnel and assets could be deployed at any time for flood relief operations.

       “The Armed Forces has implemented several measures, including placing one battalion on standby in each state, deploying designated officers at state and district flood operation centres and placing the military’s medical team on standby to be assigned to temporary relief centres (PPS).

       “The number of personnel deployed has also been increased to conduct flood aid operations at the PPS and in places that cannot be reached via a land route,” he added.