KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — 18,616 Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel, including officers and rank and file, have been put on standby through Ops Murni to help tackle floods if necessary.
The Malaysian Army (TDM) said the operation would be implemented when the disaster Management Committee at the Federal, state, and district levels required the MAF to assist relevant government agencies in providing aid to residents affected by floods, including repairing public services.
The scope of the MAF assignments during disasters includes assisting members at all levels and providing limited transportation assistance for movement on land, air, and sea.
“TDM provides logistics equipment assistance like machinery for relief work during disasters, specialist service assistance such as experts in explosives and engineering, field medical liaison, disaster evacuation, and diver assistance for search-and-rescue operations.
“Among the assets involved include 307 boats, life jackets (6,238), one-tonne vehicles (372), generator set support equipment (136), aircraft (26), and four paramedics per team will be established in each TDM Brigade formation,” it said in a statement yesterday.
In addition, Level Two MAF Field Hospital, which has facilities for operating theatres, anaesthesia and ICU with 112 staff comprising six medical specialists, six medical officers and 100 clinical and non-clinical support staff, will be mobilised if the Ministry of Health Hospital loses contact.
“The TDM will also assist in post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes if needed,” it said.
Meanwhile, MAF has also appointed Army Chief General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan as Ops Murni leader involving all three MAF branches, who has been given the authority of Operational Command over the mobilisation of members.
MAF’s preparedness is a collaboration between the National Disaster Management Agency, public authorities and local authorities.
“The MAF is always committed and ready to help government agencies and the people when they face difficulties in the face of disasters and, no matter what the situation is, to ensure the well-being of the people and the country,” it added.
— Bernama
