KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced the setting up of a master unit to manage volunteers and supplies of assistance as preparations to face the occurrence of floods this year.

He said based on past experience, supplies were only concentrated in one area when other places were more in need. 

"Every end of the year, several places in the country will be flooded. As such, this year the government is taking several early measures to face the coming disaster.

"We will set up a master unit to manage volunteers and supplies so that they could be channeled to flood victims more effectively," he said in an audio posting uploaded onto his website www.najibrazak.com today.

The Prime Minister said starting this month, the government will be making detailed preparations especially in the aspect of logistics such as communications, evacuation and storage of food supplies, management of medical officers and cleaning up work.  

"I will also continue to encourage the noble efforts of Malaysians to contribute supplies and become volunteers. 

"Insya-Allah, with these efforts. we will be more prepared to face any eventuality of floods this year," said Najib.

The flood which hit several states including Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu, Perak apart from Sabah and Sarawak last year was described as the worst to afflict the country as tens of thousands of victims had to flee their homes. — Bernama