KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) is prepared to deploy additional assets and personnel to assist flood victims as the situation worsens. Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman announced that 5,600 personnel have already been mobilised for flood relief operations and are stationed in areas expected to be affected.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the directive to conduct flood relief operations was issued in September, ensuring that the personnel and assets have been on standby and positioned in flood-prone locations. Given the current situation, these resources have already been deployed to the affected areas. Mohammad stated that if additional resources are required, commanders on the ground will assess the situation and make the necessary adjustments.

He made these remarks to reporters following the Navy Run 24 event at Dataran DBKL, held in conjunction with the KL Car Free Morning programme. The event was attended by Navy Chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain and ATM Chief o
f Staff Lt Gen Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad, and it attracted over 6,000 participants from various walks of life.

Mohammad further mentioned that the ATM would assist in transporting Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates in remote areas to examination centres if the floods persist when exams begin tomorrow. Additionally, concerning the Air Force base in Kepala Batas, Kedah, which houses the Air Force College and is affected by floods, training activities for cadets will be temporarily halted if the situation does not improve.

The flood situation continues to deteriorate in nine states across Peninsular Malaysia, with the number of evacuees in relief centres rising to 152,377 this morning, compared to 146,611 last night.