THE Penang government is not ready to let any eventuality dampen the lives and livelihoods of the people.
Several measures are being lined up ahead of the monsoon period, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Flood, he said, is one of the issues that the State Secretariat Office Disaster Management Unit would be keeping a close eye on.
Among the measures include the appointment of Disaster Management Focal Persons in all the District and Land Offices, state government agencies and departments.
“A total of three staff will be appointed from the District and Land Offices to act as Focal Persons, and their role is to strengthen the collaboration between the District Disaster Management Committee and the state Disaster Management Committee.
“Besides that, relevant workshops have started, which see all the District and Land Offices, state government agencies and departments working closely with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
“The workshops are meant to provide a better and clearer understanding of disaster management. A total of 70 participants have joined so far,” Chow said during a brief press conference in Komtar today.
Also, it is understood that the state Finance Department has approved a total of RM400,000 to purchase assets and supplies to be used during disasters.
Additionally, Chow said the state had so far received 4,744 units of C-tents. The tents are for the District and Land Offices to prepare for any eventuality.
“We are glad to announce that the state’s Village Community Management Council (MPKK) members, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as the relevant agencies, are well-prepared ahead of the monsoon period,” he added.
Chow said he had instructed the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and the Public Works Department (JKR) to ensure drainage systems in the state were not clogged with rubbish.
“Clogged drainage systems can lead to flash floods. I urge everyone not to throw rubbish into the drains and rivers,” he said.
At the conference, Chow also mentioned that the state Disaster Management Committee would be holding a meeting on Sept 29 to further discuss the action plans with all the relevant parties.
Also present during the conference was state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Alissala Thian