The Yang di-Pertuan Agong was briefed on the year-end weather and flood situation today at the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN).

Environment and Water Ministry chief secretary Zaini Ujang and Meteorological Department director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah conducted the briefing following Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s visit to the centre.

According to Istana Negara officers present, the palace sought the briefing so the Agong can evaluate government agency preparations to deal with year-end floods.

Also present were Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

It is understood that Khairy was supposed to brief the Agong on the Covid-19 situation and the Health Ministry's preparedness for the flood season as well.

Sultan Abdullah’s visit to PRABN comes amidst Umno’s top brass clamouring for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to dissolve Parliament immediately.

However, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan are in favour of having the general election only after the northeast monsoon season (November to March).

Incidentally, Zaini took to Facebook yesterday and shared Drainage and Irrigation Department data which projected peak rainfall for the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang in December.

However, all other states in Peninsular Malaysia are expected to experience peak rainfall in November.

Ismail Sabri is scheduled for an audience with the Agong at 4pm today ahead of tomorrow's cabinet meeting - the last before the tabling of Budget 2023 in the afternoon.

Focus on early warning system

The Agong left the building around 12.30pm, after the briefing and a tour of the operations room.

Tuan Ibrahim told reporters that the king had decreed for more attention to be given to the early warning system for natural disasters as well as the coordination of aid during floods.

Aside from their preparations for the monsoon season, the minister said they also presented the rain forecast data for the next few months to the Agong.

Khairy said Sultan Abdullah was satisfied with the two ministries’ preparations for the monsoon season.

When asked if this means there would be no issue to hold the 15th general election soon, Khairy said the Agong had sought this briefing on a “routine basis” as the country will indeed be facing the monsoon season.

“There was no other discussion aside from that,” the health minister added.

Pressed on whether the Agong was doing his due diligence before meeting the prime minister later today, Khairy merely said: “The king is very concerned about the well-being of the people. His Majesty wants to know what will happen.”

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