Kuching: The permanent disaster relief centre at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Matang here has been fully upgraded from a temporary relief centre and is now ready for use. National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) director-general Meor Ismail Meor Akim announced the completion of the project, highlighting its transformation from an unused hostel block at the school into a permanent disaster relief facility. The upgrade, which took place from July to December last year, was completed at a cost of approximately RM907,000.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this facility is the third permanent disaster relief centre to be completed nationwide, following the establishment of two similar centres in Johor at Dewan Taman Kota Jaya and Dewan Arena Segitiga in Kota Tinggi. Meor Ismail noted that NADMA plans to establish a total of 15 permanent disaster relief centres across the country, either through new construction or by upgrading existing temporary facilities.

The director-general emphasized the agency's goal of ensuring greater comfort for flood victims and expressed hope that the centre could be utilized outside of flood seasons to avoid becoming a wasted facility. During the handover ceremony of the SMK Matang centre, Meor Ismail highlighted that the facility can accommodate over 200 flood victims simultaneously and is equipped with improved amenities, including disability-friendly toilets.

The centre also includes seven rooms and a storage area designed to serve as a forward base for essential supplies and food distribution during flood emergencies. Meanwhile, all relevant agencies are on high alert in preparation for the upcoming phase of the Northeast Monsoon (NEM), expected to begin tomorrow. Meor Ismail mentioned that several states are currently experiencing floods, and further heavy rain is forecast, with agencies remaining on standby since the early stages of the monsoon season.