Floods: Inter-agency coordination slow at first but improved by second day, says IGP

SHAH ALAM: Coordination among the various agencies in helping flood victims was admittedly slow at the onset of the disaster on Saturday (Dec 18), says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

However, he said the situation improved on the second day of the floods.

“At that time (the start of the floods), the water was at a dangerous level and we discovered that victims were staying in single- and double-storey houses as well as apartments.

“The population density in Shah Alam is different than in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu and other places,” he told a press conference at the flood operations centre in Taman Sri Muda here on Thursday (Dec 23).

Relocating victims in other areas was easier compared to Shah Alam, he added.

“We faced challenges to relocate victims from this area.

“At the early stages, we were seen as slow (in responding) but we have improved the capabilities of all agencies to ensure all victims are saved and food aid is distributed,” he said.

Acryl Sani said while seven police stations around the country were affected by the floods, the police will make it easier for people, especially flood victims, to lodge reports.

“During the floods, our reporting system suffered technical disruption. I have instructed all OCPDs in flooded areas to go to temporary relocation centres and see whether there are those who want to lodge reports, and do it manually.

“If there are victims who could not leave their homes, the police will deploy personnel to take reports on the spot,” he said.