Be vigilant, avoid high-risk areas during monsoon season, says Anwar

 

Anwar Ibrahim briefed MPs on the Batang Kali landslide disaster, at the first meeting of the first session of the 15th Parliament.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for greater vigilance and care during the current monsoon season and advised Malaysians to avoid high-risk areas.

He also instructed all local authorities to monitor and increase safety precautions at recreational and resort sites under their jurisdiction.

“The Dewan Rakyat would like to convey our condolences to all individuals and families of victims affected by the landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor, on Dec 16.

“We are all deeply affected and saddened by the tragedy involving 94 people, including children,” he said when giving a briefing on the landslide at the first meeting of the first session of the 15th Parliament here.

Anwar said based on the National Disaster Management Agency’s report, as soon as the distress call on the tragedy was received at 2.23am, coordination between the relevant agencies was promptly made.

He said the rescue team arrived at the scene at 2.58am and managed to rescue the first victim within an hour.

So far, 61 people have been rescued, 24 were found dead, while nine others are still missing.

Following the tragedy, Anwar said the government had announced assistance of RM1,000 to each survivor, and RM10,000 to each family of the victims who perished.

Almost 700 members from 16 federal and state government agencies were involved in the search and rescue operations since last Friday.

“Therefore, the Dewan Rakyat also wishes to extend our appreciation and thanks to all rescue agencies on the site of the landslide, especially the fire and rescue department, the police, army, Civil Defence Force, Rela, and special teams,” he said.

Also involved were the health ministry, information department, social welfare department, mineral and geoscience department, public works department, Hulu Selangor municipal council, the Selangor government, Telekom Malaysia and other agencies.

Anwar also expressed gratitude to the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah who visited the operation centre yesterday, as well as Cabinet ministers and other parties who went to the ground to offer their assistance and services.

He also conveyed condolences to the family of Nur Hilwa Edrea Hariz Zaifan, a two-year-old girl who became the first victim of the northeast monsoon in Terengganu. - FMT