MAF assurance on repair of flood-damaged houses

The Malaysian Armed Forces has given the assurance to repair flood-damaged houses of the people under the 'Jiwa Murni' programme.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he would monitor the floods, especially now in Kelantan and Terengganu, and deploy the personnel and assets to undertake the repair.

"We have specific methods under the Jiwa Murni programme to assist not only the people but also military posts and camps that might have been damaged by the floods.

"Nevertheless, I will look at the current situation, including the weather, before deciding on the next step," he said.

Hishammuddin spoke to reporters after visiting the flood relief centre at SK Gual Tinggi here which houses 1,655 evacuees from 599 families.

Accompanying the minister were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi; Chief of Army Gen Datuk Seri Zulkiple Kassim; Army Field Commander West Lt Gen Datuk Azizan Md Delin, 2nd Division Commander Maj Gen Datuk Mohd Ramli Jaafar and Group Managing Editor of the New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid.

At the event, Hishammuddin presentated donations of RM50,000 each to three relief centres, at SK Gual Tinggi, SMK Chabang Empat, Tumpat, and SK Tengkawang, Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu.

Abdul Jalil handed over, on behalf of the NSTP Group, 2,000 medical aid kits to the flood victims at SK Gual Tinggi.

Zulkiple said military control measures along the Malaysia-Thailand border proceeded as usual even though some control posts in Kelantan were flooded when Sungai Golok burst its banks.

"We have stationed two military battalions (about 1,000 personnel) for border control even with the flooding of some posts," he said. - Bernama