PETALING JAYA (ANN/THE STAR) – As floods continue to worsen in Sabah and Sarawak, displacing thousands, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed state education departments to ensure affected SPM candidates can sit for their exams safely.
“I am saddened by the worsening floods in Sabah and Sarawak,” Anwar said in a Facebook post on Thursday, expressing his condolences to the victims.
He has also instructed the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to coordinate state and federal agencies for flood relief efforts.
“The priority now is the welfare and safety of those affected,” he said, adding that the Ihsan Madani squad will assist at temporary relief centres and support post-flood recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reported that all federal and state disaster relief assets have been deployed to the 13 flood-affected locations in Sarawak, where over 6,700 people have been impacted as of noon Thursday. More than 50 relief centres have been set up to accommodate evacuees.
Nadma is also working with the Education Ministry to identify schools and community halls on higher ground that can serve as additional relief centres.
As chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, Ahmad Zahid said authorities are assessing the need for Bailey bridges in areas where floodwaters have disrupted transport links.
“We have discussed preparations for these bridges with the Royal Engineers Corps,” he said during a press conference after inspecting the SM Imtiaz Tuminah Hamidi construction project in Bagan Datuk yesterday.
Additionally, an early warning system has been activated to provide advance evacuation notices in case of rising tides.
