KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Services Department (JBPM) will plan a targeted leave freeze for its personnel in preparation for the northeast monsoon season.

JBPM director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the department has informed its staff about the partial freeze on leave in certain areas.

“I am planning to target specific areas (to freeze holidays) according to the direction of the northeast monsoon. It is unfair to freeze holidays in states that have not been affected by floods, but if the situation becomes critical, a complete freeze on holidays could be introduced to support teams in the affected states,” he told reporters at the opening of the International Championship. Fire Safety Conference and Exhibition Malaysia 2024 (IFCEM 2024) is here today.

Previous media reports stated that Malaysia is still in the transition phase of the monsoon, which began on September 24 and is expected to continue until early next month (November), and the flood phenomenon that is currently affecting several states may be due to the same factor. .

Malaysia Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) deputy director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip is reported to have said that he expects the northeast monsoon to occur early next month based on climatological factors.

Nor Hisham said METMalaysia also checked hot spots and forward bases to prepare for any bad weather conditions.

“We have reviewed the main directions and are starting to implement the plan outlined, including the creation of rapid response teams in 22 places.

“We are also concentrating on forward logistics bases located at Wakaf Tapai in Terengganu and Ayer Hitam in Johor, instead of focusing too much on Penang (due to floods) this time,” he said .

He said JBPM was also coordinating with the police and other agencies as per the instructions of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

“NADMA has released NADMA Instruction No. 1, which provides a clearer framework for disaster management. It provides that the JBPM will act as the deputy incident commander and forward unit commander in the event of any incident.

“We have also conducted two series of trainings with fire station chiefs to strengthen the implementation of NADMA Directive No. 1 at all fire stations,” he said.