Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to expedite cloud seeding operations in states currently at critical levels, particularly Kedah and Perlis. Saying the move is urgently needed to deal with current weather conditions, he also suggested the use of drone technology to overcome logistical constraints so that the operations can be carried out smoothly.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar has directed MetMalaysia to accelerate its efforts, including exploring the use of drone technology and partnering with various parties to address the shortage of suitable aircraft, to ensure the well-being of the people is protected. This directive was shared by Anwar in a post on his official Facebook page today.

Earlier, Anwar convened a meeting with senior management of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) to review policy planning and the ministry's priorities for the year. Apart from weather issues, the meeting also discussed the welfare of three national elephants - Dara, Amoi, and Kelat - currently in Japan.

On the matter of the elephants, Anwar emphasized that their welfare must be prioritized by NRES and Taiping Zoo, along with the need for transparent information to be shared with the public. 'Any decision and action must be based on facts and take into account the best welfare of Dara, Amoi, and Kelat. Transparent and factual information must be continuously shared so that the public has a clear understanding of their condition there,' he stated.

In addition, Anwar reminded the ministry about the importance of management and governance. 'In concluding the meeting, I stressed the importance of good governance, strong integrity, and zero tolerance for leakages. These are the foundations of our efforts in building an inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable Malaysia,' he said.