NINE locations nationwide have been identified for the setting up of permanent disaster relief centres, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

       The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) said the locations were determined by the respective state disaster management committees of the state governments.

       He said RM45mil had been allocated by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for the pilot project, and it would be implemented by the Public Works Department.

       “We will not wait until next year to begin.

       “The designs and specifications for the centres are already being prepared by the Public Works Department,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Armizan was responding to Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) on details about the permanent disaster relief centres previously announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

       During the Prime Minister’s Question Time on Nov 28, Anwar said that permanent disaster relief centres would be set up nationwide immediately as temporary flood shelters were not practical anymore.

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       On the current flood situation, Armizan said 123 families comprising 426 victims had been placed at five temporary relief centres in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang as at 6am yesterday.

       Cumulatively, he said some 7,684 victims have been housed at temporary relief centres since the start of the northeast monsoon on Nov 11 this year.

       He said this comprised 1,976 families being placed at 49 relief centres across 12 districts in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu.

       To ensure their welfare, he said Nadma made earlier preparations with related agencies such as the Welfare Department.

       Separately, Armizan said a disaster risk reduction policy was being planned with a new Act to be created in a move to improve preparations.