KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 23 — The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is fully prepared to face the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season, including potential flooding in areas involved in by-elections.
Its director-general, Datuk Seri Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin, said the department is ready to assist with requests, including from the Election Commission, to ensure the smooth running of the Kemaman parliamentary by-election on December 2 and the Jepak state by-election on November 4.
“We are ready to mobilise our assets based on current needs. For example, to send voters to polling stations or manage the ballot boxes, we are also ready for this.
“Specifically for the Kemaman by-election, we have identified 36 hotspot locations, so we have instructed the Terengganu JBPM to be prepared in case there are areas affected by flooding,” he said.
Abdul Wahab was speaking to the press after officiating at the presentation of the JBPM Excellent Service Award (APC) 2022 and 30-Year Service Certificate today.
At the event, 59 Terengganu JBPM officers and personnel received the APC, while 45 others received the 30-Year Service Certificate.
In the meantime, he said JBPM has set up the MTL Rapid Action Team to facilitate flood victims’ evacuation and relocation.
The team in each state has 15 members consisting of officers and personnel of various skills, like the Water Rescue Team and the Emergency Medical Rescue Services.
When asked about Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang, which are expected to be the first to experience heavy rainfall, Abdul Wahab said JBPM has established the Eastern Region Malaysia Fire and Rescue Academy in Wakaf Tapai near Marang as a forward base for the East Coast zone to house rescue assets.
“These rescue assets will be placed in our academy from November. When floods occur in Terengganu, Kelantan, and Pahang, these assets can be immediately moved to the affected areas,” he said.
— Bernama
