A total of 6,000 Malaysian Armed Forces personnel involving five brigades have been deployed to help the victims of flood-hit areas in Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor and Sabah.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the 7th Brigade personnel of the Malaysian Army had been mobilised to help victims in Johor; 8th Brigade (Kelantan and Terengganu); 4th Brigade (Pahang); 5th Brigade (Sabah) and the 11th Brigade members (Selangor).

"I want that our military personnel are not just being seen but their presence are also felt by the people who are going through the hardships during the floods," he told reporters after visiting a temporary relief centre at Sekolah Agama Kampung Jawa, Segamat today.

Also present was Armed Forces chief Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

Hishammuddin said based on his observation during visits to flood-hit areas, all the Armed Forces members involved were seen as high-spirited and committed in carrying out their duties.

Meanwhile, he said the Royal Malaysian Air Force's assets and personnel were now on standby to to be deployed to help the flood victims.

Among the squadrons involved are the 3rd Squadron which housed Nuri helicopters (at its base) in Butterworth; 10th Squadron (EC-725 helicopters in Kuantan; the 20th Squadron (Hercules C-130 aircraft in Subang) and the 22nd Squadron A-400M aircraft in Subang), said Hishammuddin.

He also said two teams from the Royal Medical Corps were now stationed in Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang in Kelantan, while another two in Segamat, Johor.

Hishammuddin said the ministry also prepared to render assistance to the victims during the post-flood period to ease their burden.

"I have instructed the Royal Army Engineers Regiment to repair bridges which had been damaged in several parts in Johor such as Ledang, Benut and Pontian," he said.

- Bernama