KUALA LUMPUR: Criticism of security forces especially the Armed Forces supposedly being late in providing aid for flood victims in Selangor are unjustified, says a retired military officer.

       Captain (R) Raeiz Ahmad said military assets were already deployed early during the natural disaster.

       "I am sure many can see the Defence Minister posting on social media on military assets being mobilised in major flood hit areas in Selangor recently.

       "Actually, such assets were already deployed early even before such postings were made.

       "Criticism online on security forces being late in providing aid for flood victims are uncalled for, just because they could not see such aid being provided on social media," he said.

       In the event of a natural disaster, leave for security forces personnel are automatically frozen, he added.

       "I urge all Malaysians to not make wild accusations against the security forces.

       "Be patient and pray that all flood aid operations by the security forces go smoothly.

       "Their family members are also affected by the floods but they focused on saving other Malaysians who are victims of the floods.

       "What the men and women in the security forces need right now is moral support and prayers instead of insults and criticism," he said.

       Defence expert Dzirhan Mahadzir said army boats are not readily available for the floods in Kuala Lumpur as most of the boats are deployed with units which conduct coastal and river patrols, which are not in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur.

       "As you know, we also have Ops Benteng so all the boats are usually around the borders and coast of the peninsula.

       "Keep in mind that the Armed Forces is already routinely used for flood relief operations in December in the East Coast, northern Malaysia, Pahang and Johor, so naturally available boats are already stationed in those areas for relief operations," he posted on Twitter.

       The Armed Forces’ support is also crucial in the rural areas where there is a lack of civil relief agencies with the right equipment so they end up being used there as no one else is around, he added.

       "The whole of the Armed Forces don't have boats with every unit and bases so again the priority goes to using them in areas closer and where even more needed in rural areas and again time factor weighs in on sending the boats.

       "If they send the boats from places like Kelantan and Kedah and by the time they arrive, it not needed, many of you will go on social media and say too late and waste of time while the people in the area the boats were taken from will say KL people favoured," he added.

       Dzirhan said the Armed Forces personnel in flood situations are there to aid existing civil agencies who are in charge and handling the situation," he said.