PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) wants the standard operating procedures on national disaster management reviewed to reduce burdens and losses in the future.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this included the need to have a more efficient weather forecast system.
He said he was informed that the weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Department was based on the previous year’s weather pattern.
“As we enter the month of December, the weather condition changes and becomes more and more challenging.
“So, the weather forecast must be accurate for a period of three or four days, so that we can have a better disaster management plan,” he told reporters after a briefing at the National Disaster Command Centre here today.
Muhyiddin also said that Malaysia should learn more about other countries’ disaster management systems especially Japan and South Korea – said to have the best disaster management systems in the world.
In a bid to reduce the burden of long-term management cost, he called for more ‘special waterways’, including canals and drains that could hold water at a larger scale, to be built in flood-prone states.
“So, when floods hit, the impact will not be as big as now. And we also want to avoid suffering major losses,” he said.
Muhyiddin, who chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, said the Government would look into the need to have the latest land, air and naval assets that could be fully utilised during disasters.
“Based on global weather change, we are definitely not spared. Assets to be used during difficult times are probably necessary. What we need to prepare are high-powered boats and helicopters,” he added.
Muhyiddin said flood victims had enough food and water but communication at the relief centres was an issue.
“Food is there. It isn’t as good as a home-cooked meal or mewah (luxurious) but it is nutritious. Water was initially a big issue but the Green Technology, Energy and Water Ministry has said it will help wherever it can.
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