ID :
354669
Tue, 01/20/2015 - 12:15
Auther :

Floods: A Baptism Of Fire For Malaysian Army's 8th Brigade

By Ali Imran Mohd Noordin KUALA KRAI (Kelantan, Malaysia, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- While the flood may have receded in most parts of the east coast state of Kelantan, the work cut out for the 8th Brigade of the Royal Malaysian Army is far from over. The brigade commander Brig. Gen. Datuk Azmy Yahya said succinctly "our war is only over when people get back with their daily routines." "As for the army, helping the affected people to get on with life is a serious undertaking. We are doing all the best to alleviate their sufferings," he said. Moreover, Azmy believed that the faster they returned back to their routines the faster they would overcome the traumatic experience that they have been through. The children have to get back to schools, the adults have to get back to their work or daily business, pray at the mosques and buy the necessities at the shops. "So we have no other choice but to help return the situation to normalcy as soon as possible," he added. THE FIVE PHASE OF WORK CUT OUT FOR THE ARMY The recent floods badly affected the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and some parts of Pahang. It is the worst floods the country has seen in three decades with the ravaging waters and mudflow displacing up to 103,000 people and damaging thousands of properties in the three states. The 8th brigade was mobilised on 17 Dec 2014, when the water began to rise fast at the hinterland of Kelantan, to evacuate the affected dwellers. The servicemen from the brigade played a crucial role in the relief efforts using their assets that included combat boats and helicopters. Apart from these, army trucks with the capacity of three and seven tonnes were deployed to ferry food supplies and other necessities for flood victims at the relief centres. The statistics provided by the National Security Council (MKN) recorded 27 boats, 28 trucks, four four-wheel drives, four helicopters and two ambulances from the army complementing the relief mission. The second phase begun on 26 Dec with the focus in ensuring food supplies reach the flood victims cut off by the deluge. "The third phase is restoring the public amenities including electricity and water supply and the fourth phase is cleaning up the towns, markets and public places including the mosques, community halls and schools," said Azmy. The fifth phase is evaluating the damage caused by floods, with the army playing the supplementary role in helping the respective government agencies to carry on with their tasks. THE ARMY'S PROACTIVE ROLE A brief survey by Bernama indicated that the army has taken a proactive role in restoring public facilities, providing basic healthcare services and temporary shelters for flood victims. The army personnel armed with mops, brushes, shovels and water jets cleaned school buildings, cleared up clogged drains and even kept the traffic under control when volunteers in big numbers from all over the country descended at the affected areas to help. The army too provided health services through its field hospital, a mobile hospital complete with surgical rooms, x-rays, clinics, and pharmacy. The members of the brigade also helped put up the tents provided by well wishers. They even accommodated flood victims at their Sungai Durian camp near here. A total of 3,043 members of the army made up of 164 officers and 2,879 members have been mobilised for the last one month to all areas affected by floods Kelantan. LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED The brigade members faced all the challenges that came with the floods Azmy pointed out. "Our hearts have always been with the flood victims and we did everything possible in ensuring their comfort despite of the difficult circumstances. "The brigade members served with high spirits. We have been racing against time and have been doing everything possible in ensuring the schools, shops and public buildings open as soon as possible," explained Azmy. Azmy also appreciated the presence of the civilian volunteers who joined hands with the army in helping to restore normalcy. "We did not do everything on our own. The presence of civilian volunteers from other places has helped to speed up our work," said Azmy. He added that the army personnel had to work 24 hours until their task is completed. As for example, in cleaning the schools, the servicemen have been told to complete their task before the first day of the school session. SERVICEMEN BRING HOPE Meanwhile, the contribution of the army personnel was clearly felt in the flood ravaged areas. Rosdi Zakaria, a teacher at a high school Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Manek Urai (SMKMU), where the water level rose up to the second floor at the height of the flood episode, said the presence of the army corps at the school provided hope for its 800 students. Rosdi and several other teachers joined hands with 100 members of the border regiment who were mobilised to clean up the school. "With their presence, we felt safe. At least for once we knew that there were someone willing to be here to help though this place is so remote and there is nothing much left," he said. Mohd Raffein Maarof, 40, from Kampung Karangan near here also appreciated the presence of the army personnel who helped the villagers to clean up the village. As for Raja Zainab Raja Ismail, 46, of Kampung Manek Urai Lama, whose house was swept away by the currents, she is grateful for the servicemen who pitched a tent on the ground where her house once stood. "They came, they spoke to me kindly. If I was to pitch the tent myself, I would not have done it," she said. Another flood victim, Kamaruzaman Yahya, 43, who also lost his home, thanked the army for providing food for his family of six and the hope to get on with life. "Though they only provided food and stove, we are very grateful for their kindness. Thank You!" he said with a wide grin sitting on the temporary platform made using the wood from his destroyed house. -- BERNAMA

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