NETWORK TO OVERCOME COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS DURING FLOODS

ALOR SETAR (Kedah, Malaysia), Nov 16 (Bernama) -- The National Security
Council has suggested that a government integrated radio network be set up to
overcome communication problems during floods.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said
the network could ensure uninterrupted communication which would facilitate
relief work, including distribution of food to flood victims.

During the recent floods, relief efforts had been hampered by communication
problems, he told reporters after a post-mortem briefing here on the recent
natural disaster.

Nazri also said the federal government had allocated RM35 million (about
US$11 million) to be given to more than 17,000 families who were victims of
floods in the northern states of Kedah and Perlis.

He also said that a second wave of floods was not probable, but the
authorities were not taking chances.

"I asked the Meteorological and Irrigation and Drainage Departments about a
second wave, and they told me it was unlikely.

"Nonetheless, the logistics will remain in place to face any eventuality,"
Nazri said.
-- BERNAMA