KUCHING: Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri has assured the public that preparations to deal with year-end floods are already underway.
She said that the ministry is currently working alongside the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and respective district offices through the Social Welfare Department (JKM) in each state to provide necessary assistance.
“We are well aware that floods tend to strike at the year’s end, and the ministry has already started on-ground preparations to deal with any emergencies.
“We also have officers always ready in the field equipped with essential supplies, including food and drinks, to deal with potential floods.
“We are always prepared, even the ministers concerned are not encouraged to go out on vacation. This means that we are really getting ready,” she said.
She said this when met by reporters after officiating the Walk-A-Mile campaign in conjunction with World Heart Day 2023 at the Sarawak State Library here today (Sept 24).
Furthermore, she stressed that assistance to flood victims would not be compromised, even amidst the rising commodity prices.
“We cannot afford to cut down. The aid will not be reduced even if the price of goods increases. Necessary aids will still be given based on what we have always given before,” she said.
Providing insights into the current flood situation, she revealed that only three states have been affected thus far, namely Sabah, Perak and Sarawak.
She said that Sabah reported the highest number of cases, with 228 victims from 72 families, followed by Perak (37 victims from nine families) and Sarawak (33 victims from seven families).
As per the forecast by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), the ongoing Monsoon Transition phase commenced on September 19 and is expected to continue until November 2023.
