GEORGETOWN: The Defence Ministry is looking into various factors before finalising the deployment of more Armed Forces members to assist the flood victims in Penang.
Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said the factors to be looked into include the weather, needs of the flood victims, assets as well as the possibility of a second wave of floods in the state.
“The discussion on this will be done thoroughly by this evening with the initial armed forces personnel assigned to assist Penang flood victims as they understand more about the needs of the victims.”
"There is also no issue of whether or not ATM members leave is frozen as it is part of their duties to assist the victims in the state," he said at a press conference here today.
Earlier, Hishammuddin visited and handed over the basic necessities to flood victims at Taman Free School, Jelutong.
Present was Armed Forces chief general Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, Army chief General Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim and Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi.
The heavy rain which lasted more than 17 hours since Friday afternoon worsened the situation in most areas, causing water to rise quickly and crippled several areas in Georgetown and Seberang Perai.
Last Thursday, the state government announced that 119 flood cases were recorded, from October 2013 up to Oct 15 this year, with 22 incidents in 2013; 20 (2014); 26 (2015); 30 (2016) and 21 floods recorded until Oct 15.
Hishammuddin said the ministry would also focus on the post-flood work to help alleviate the burden of the victims, including repair works and infrastructure with minor damage.
"This work (post-flood) will depend largely on grassroots needs, including that I will need to get feedback from the staff for clearer details," he said.