Shahidan assures strong coordination among rescue personnel during floods

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said he will ensure that there is strong coordination among rescue teams in disaster struck areas, particularly during the floods.

He said thousands of rescue personnel are on standby and most of them have had their leave frozen to ensure smooth running of operations.

"I believe that in the early stages, when it rained, they (the rescue team) might not have expected (the flood) to go up to that level.

"However they (rescue operations) are running smoothly...when information is received, all (assets and personnel) are mobilised accordingly," he told reporters at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, here, last night.

In a related development, Shahidan said there was also adequate food supply for victims prepared in advance through forward bases established in several strategic areas.

"I will not allow any food shortage to occur. When a disaster like this occurs, the victims should be given the best service, a 'royal' service, as they have been hit by a disaster," he said.

Floods began occurring in Kelantan and Terengganu yesterday with thousands of victims placed in relief centres, some of these relief centres set up in schools were unable to begin the schooling session. -- Bernama