By Sulyn Chong
SHAH ALAM, Oct 12 — Selangor will not be holding its state polls concurrently with the 15th general elections (GE15) as it prepares to face the impending floods and heavy downpours expected to take place in the region at the end of the year.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said that the preparations to face the floods have begun since September and it looks to be going well and within the timeframe set by the state government.
“The Selangor State Legislative Assembly will not be dissolved so that we can focus on the disaster ahead.
“However, if there is any dissolution, I am certain we are ready to face both large events at the same time,” he said in a live broadcast on Bernama Radio this morning.
Yesterday, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj decreed the state government must continue administering Selangor and stay focused on efforts to ensure the well-being of its citizens.
This comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced Parliament’s dissolution on Monday, paving the way for GE15.
“Selangor has been in preparation for the floods since September and this is in line with our state flood plan which is done within the stated timeframe.
“We even held disaster simulations that will prepare the personnel physically as well as training programmes that will prepare them to communicate effectively during the disaster,” he said.
On September 28 and 29, the state government held a disaster simulation and training programme to ensure more organised and effective communication management between the various departments and agencies involved when dealing with disasters.
The training would also help to guarantee all agencies remain alert and ready when it comes to services, equipment and assets, in facing any potential disaster.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said that many upgrading works have been ongoing to help mitigate the floods in many localities around the state and repair works are also carried out at locations reported by citizens or feedback from the surveys done by state agencies.
However, Amiruddin admitted that these upgrading and repair works have limitations as it will take a long time to finish, with some for as long as five to six months and will continue to run until the end of 2023.
He said that the state government had also added the number of assets and equipment to help the flood preparations.
“We added another 20 more boats, totalling to more than RM1.062 million, and all equipment has been distributed to all 12 localities in preparation for the floods,” he said.
Amirudin said a total of 796 temporary relief centres (PPS) have been identified and are ready to be activated should a flood occur and that all necessary items and equipment for the PPS have been distributed to the respective localities
“Approximately 15,972 personnel from various agencies throughout the state involved in flood relief work have been instructed to be ready.
“They were even advised to make sure their families are safe before the floods rush in to not hinder them from rescuing others,” he said.
The northeast monsoon season usually brings heavy rain between November and March. In Selangor, wet weather is expected in the evenings till night time. The state is expected to see an average rainfall of between 210 mm and 370 mm in November and December.
The Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) has identified 87 flood hotspots throughout the state’s nine districts.
The districts of Klang, Sepang, Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Langat and Petaling are also at risk of facing high tide.
