KUCHING: The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is prepared to face the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of SDMC, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said a total of 7,507 members and officers of the security forces and related agencies are ready to be deployed to address the challenges of the Northeast Monsoon.

“The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Sarawak Contingent has mobilised a total of 1,406 personnel, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Sarawak with 1,462 personnel, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Sarawak with 2,759 personnel, and the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM) with 1,880 personnel,” he said.

He said this in a press conference after chairing a SDMC meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Tuesday.

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah was also satisfied with the preparations carried out since SDMC personnel are experienced in facing the Northeast Monsoon that occurs every year.

Regarding available assets, he mentioned that 760 water and land-based assets have been prepared for use during the flood season.

“For water assets, we have 214 boats and three jet skis, while for land assets, there are 260 four-wheel drive vehicles, 78 lorries, 32 ambulances, 152 motorcycles, two buses, four helicopters, and 15 drones.

“All agencies involved have been instructed to remain on high alert,” he said. 

As for forward bases, he explained that Sarawak has 31 disaster forward bases, one main disaster storage depot in Kota Samarahan, and two mini disaster storage depots.

He added that these 31 forward bases are crucial for Sarawak to store food supplies that can be distributed immediately in the event of an incident.

Meanwhile, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said that they have collaborated with the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) Radio to provide communication access in remote flood-affected areas, where the organisation operates rural radio stations.

He also mentioned that drone technology is being utilised to obtain the latest imagery of flood-affected areas and assess the extent of flooding.

Also present were Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, and Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration), Datu Buckland Bangik. -UKASnews