BAGAN DATUK: Three-, five-, and seven-ton Malaysian Armed Forces trucks have been mobilised to three states badly hit by floods to ferry Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination candidates between dormitories and examination centres since yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is National Disaster Management Committee chairman, stated that this initiative is to ensure candidates in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah are able to reach the exam centres on time.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the decision was made after Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek requested the assistance of armed forces trucks to transport the candidates. Dr Ahmad Zahid confirmed this arrangement during a media conference after officiating the Bagan Datuk district-level Sejahtera Social One Stop Centre programme. There are 3,011 candidates in Kelantan, 1,734 in Terengganu, and 532 in Kedah scheduled to sit for the exams starting tomorrow. Floods have affected 174 schools nationwide, with Kelantan having
the highest number at 80 schools, followed by 62 in Terengganu, and 14 in Kedah.

Moreover, 396 relief centres have been established in schools across the country. Regarding the RM1,000 Ihsan Cash Aid for heads of households impacted by the floods, Dr Ahmad Zahid mentioned that 43,000 households have been identified as eligible for the assistance, with a total allocation of RM4.3 million. The aid, initially designated for those who evacuated to registered centres, will also be extended to evacuees at newly opened centres. The distribution of the aid commenced yesterday and is being carried out in stages.