Agencies under Home Ministry must prepare report on flood disaster

All agencies under the Home Ministry will prepare reports within two weeks on the recent flood as a guide to handle the disaster in the future.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the reports would enable the agencies to be always prepared, in the event of the disaster.

"We urge all agencies to submit a report of what happened when they went to assist the communities during the flood, what the weaknesses were, and the obstacles and difficulties faced...these must be identified," he told reporters after handing over flood aid to members of the Kelantan police at the state police contingent headquarters here on Monday.

Also present was Kelantan police chief Datuk Mazlan Lazim.

Wan Junaidi said the reports would enable the government to identify problems faced by the agencies in assisting the people during big floods.

"During the floods, many were cut off from land routes and could only be reached by boat...but if you cannot reach them by boat, how do you stay in contact?," asked Wan Junaidi.

He said the government would study the additional assets needed by certain agencies such as the police and Civil Defence Department to carry out effective rescue operations.