TANAH MERAH: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) needs an additional allocation for the maintenance of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) assets used during operations to help flood victims.

       Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said the lack of specific assets for rescue work forced MAF to use existing defence assets for flood operations.

       He said periodical maintenance must be done to ensure all MAF assets were in a state of readiness to face any possibilities.

       "When a large scale and unexpected flood takes place as happened in Selangor and Pahang recently, MAF assets were inadequate and we used what was available.

       "MAF needs an appropriate budget to maintain these assets for such assignments in facing subsequent natural disasters,” he said.

       He said this during a media conference after attending an MAF "Jiwa Murni” (Community Outreach) programme in Felda Kemahang, here Saturday (March 5). - Bernama