KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is considering building more field hospitals to accommodate the rising number of Covid-19 patients, Defence Force Chief Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang said.
He said the MAF is prepared for such situations and always exchanges views with the Health Ministry on the need for such hospitals.
“Right now, the largest field hospital is at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang with a 10,000-bed capacity. There is a possibility that (the Health Ministry) will need more (field hospitals) if Covid-19 cases continue to rise and MAEPS can no longer accommodate more (patients).
“For the time being, MAF is working with the ministry to determine the capacity (construction) of the field hospital so as to accommodate current needs. This is an ongoing process," he said after officiating a monument and placing the Old Putera (OP) Association batch of 1978 plaque at the Royal Military College in Sg Besi here.
Present were Army Commander Gen Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain and Air Force Commander Gen Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad.
Meanwhile, on the ongoing floods, Affendi said the MAF is ready to deploy more personnel and assets to assist in flood operations if the situation worsens.
"Based on the current situation, the 4,900 personnel and 1,015 various MAF assets that have been deployed in all states affected by floods are sufficient," he said.
On developments concerning the recent cyberattacks on the MAF’s network and website, Affendi gave his assurance that the country's defence system is currently secure, adding that the MAF is constantly improving existing capabilities.
“We always identify areas that need to be improved (to thwart cyberattacks).” – Bernama, January 9, 2021
