900 APM Personnel Deployed to Handle Disasters in Sabah

KAJANG – A total of 900 Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel in Sabah, including volunteers, have been mobilised to respond to various disasters across the state following the ongoing monsoon transition period.

APM Chief Commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed said that as of this morning, reported disasters involved floods, landslides, and road disruptions, affecting 1,136 residents in Penampang, Membakut, and Papar districts.

“On normal days, we usually deploy about 300 personnel across Sabah. However, at this time we have increased it to 900, including volunteers, who will be mobilised in the event of any incident.

“Alhamdulillah, the number of victims has started to decrease and some have already returned home,” he told reporters after the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Civil Defence Training Academy (ALPHA) here on Saturday.

Aminurrahim explained that Malaysia is currently in the transition phase from the Southwest Monsoon (SWM) to the Northeast Monsoon (NEM), which is often associated with an increased risk of flooding.

“Although we have not yet entered the NEM, last year floods began in Kedah even before the season started. This year, we are seeing Sabah experience floods earlier than expected,” he said.

He added that several technical agencies, including the Public Works Department (JKR) and geologists, have been deployed to assess the current situation in the affected areas to ensure aid can be delivered swiftly and effectively.

Previously, the media reported that continuous rainfall since last week had triggered floods and landslides in several parts of Sabah, claiming 14 lives, including one flood-related death.

Earlier, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang officiated the 20th Anniversary of ALPHA, which was also attended by ALPHA Commandant Colonel Roydee Abdul Rahman.

— BERNAMA