KOTA BARU: More than 800 police personnel including its top-ranked officers will be helping with the flood rehabilitation in Kelantan, one of the worst flood-hit states in the country besides Pahang.
The Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said all units within the force including its air unit were involved in the rehabilitation stage, while hundred of officers were deployed to Pahang namely Macang, Temerloh and Pahang braving the expected third wave.
Khalid, who was at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUKM) in Kubang Krai here to visit his personnel who were injured when their helicopter crashed on Wednesday, said police personnel from the General Operations Force based at the 8th Battalion, in Pengkalan Chepa here, would take on the rehabilitation stage responsibilities in Kelantan.
They will be equipped with 30 high powered water jets in the flood clean-up rehabilitation stage, to help clean the member of public's houses, government agencies, schools, offices, among others.
On the crime rate, Khalid said there was no cases reported except for looting cases.
Since Dec 22, more than 50 suspects were arrested in Kelantan after they broke into shops that ceased operations due to the flood.
Though the Kuala Krai district police headquarters was one of the worst affected by the flood, yet the station and the remaining 19 stations in the state continued its operations without fail.
He added that the morale of his personnel remains high despite the incident involving their personnel.
“Our job nature is risky, and at time dangerous, but we took an oath some 208 years ago when the force was established to serve the people and the country. We will continue to carry out our responsibilities in any given situation.
On Wednesday, the force's Airbus Helicopter AS3555 Ecureuil 2 crashed landed at Kampung Rampai Lama, Gobek in Tanah Merah, turning the copter to a mangle of steel.
Its pilot Inspector Amirul Adli Ahmed broke his back, sustained head injuries and a deep cut above his eyes, while co-pilot Assistant Superintendent Hasni Hasni broke his leg and two crew members Sergeant-Major Mohd Hook Majid and Lance-Corporal suffered minor injuries, while delivering essentials to the villagers after Kampung Rampai Lama, which was as inaccessible by road and its residents were isolated in the 6m-deep in floods recently.
A team from the Department of Aviation would head the investigation into the helicopter crash, believe due to crosswinds.
The wreckage was still at the crash site with police officers stationed to ensure there is no tampering.
Khalid also said that the helicopter would be dismantled and removed from the site soon.