PITAS, Malaysia has established a total of 8,481 relief centres capable of accommodating over 2.1 million people in anticipation of the Northeast Monsoon season’s floods. Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions), revealed that 332 of these centres, with a capacity for 129,096 individuals, are situated in Sabah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, these preparations are part of the annual proactive measures for the national disaster response, including establishing relief centres. He emphasized the importance of being well-prepared for any eventualities during the monsoon season. This statement was made during his visit to the Pitas district Permanent Evacuation Centre (PPKB) and the Rahmah Sales Programme.

Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, director-general of the Malaysian Meteorological Department, has forecasted four to six heavy rain episodes during the monsoon, which is expected to last from November 11, 2023, to March 2024. Additionally, Armizan mentioned that the Pitas district PPKB, the first of its kind in Sabah, is one of nine such centres planned by the federal government as announced in Budget 2024. This specific centre, costing RM6.9 million, will accommodate a minimum of 500 people and will feature enhanced facilities compared to temporary relief centres.

The PPKB is designed to offer permanent infrastructure for flood victims, with amenities including accommodation halls, toilets, bedrooms, laundry areas, kitchens, and designated dining areas for women, among others. The National Disaster Management Agency is also set to collaborate with the State Disaster Management Committee on minor repair projects and upgrades of existing relief centres.