PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government has made neccessary preparations to cushion the impact of the El-Nino phenomenon, that is expected to cast its dry spell to the country soon.
Muhyiddin, who chaired a meeting by a cabinet committee on water supply crisis, said this include preparing ample stockpile of food items involving the agriculture, breeding and fisheries sectors.
"As an alternative measure, the government will import food item if there is a drop in food production due to the phenomenon.
"Should the crisis prolonged, the government will provide assistance through Tabung Bantuan Bencana Agromakanan (Agrofood Disaster Aid Fund) to affected farmers, breeders and entrepreneurs to restore production and ensure sufficient food supply.
"To control the phenomenon's impact on the environment, the government via the National Security Council will active a special team to monitor the situation," Muhyiddin said, in a statement.
He added the government would also worked closely with federal and state agencies to monitor the water level in the country.
Muhyiddin also assured the people that the government would update information on El-Nino from time to time.
He said based on the explanation from the Meteorological Department, it showed the level of El-Nino is weak or average.