KOTA BAHARU, Dec 31 — The Communication and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) receives over 4,500 calls daily through the 999 emergency line since the day floods hit several states in the country. Its deputy secretary-general, Datuk Che Azemi Haron, said, as such, they had to limit the duration of each call in order to ensure smooth running of the system.
“Normally, we receive about 1,400 calls a month...but since December 25, the number of calls through the 999 emergency line has increased trifold, hence causing us to limit the duration of each call,” he told reporters at the Media Operations Room here today.
Also present were Information Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, Aerodyne Geospatial chief executive officer Kamarul Muhamad and Kelantan Telekom Malaysia general manager Rashid Osman. Che Azemi said the ministry had also changed the standard operating procedures (SOP) by connecting the calls directly to the headquarters of the relevant authorities involved in floods operation, such as the Fire and Rescue Department, police and RELA.
“Prior to this, we will ask the callers to give more information, but as we are limiting the duration of each call, we will just connect them to the relevant authorities,” he said. Meanwhile, Kamarul said the company had introduced a new system, called Small Unmanned Aerial System (SUAS), capable of helping aircraft to detect flood victims through body temperatures. “The system, which is being used for the first time, is also capable of detecting flood victims in remote areas using the thermal imaging cameras,” he said.
He said besides monitoring and recording, the system can also disseminate information from the flying aircraft, but for this, they would have to seek cooperation from Telekom Malaysia. — Bernama
