PUTRAJAYA: When floods hit, it won’t just be sirens that warn you as your handphone could soon be giving you an earlier alert.
With the northeast monsoon coming, smartphone warnings will complement the existing siren system, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Some countries, he said, have an emergency warning system that is not based on the short message service (SMS) but on a smartphone shortcut that notifies users of a disaster.
“I will discuss with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) about looking at what telecommunication companies can do to aid the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
“This is to notify the people, especially in certain areas where, apart from flood sirens, warnings could be sent via phone notifications,” he told the media after the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.
Also present were his deputy Teo Nie Ching, ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and MCMC managing director Datuk Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus.
Fahmi also urged agencies under the ministry to enhance their preparedness for the monsoon season.
“We should be prepared with equipment in the event of a flood, (and) be quick to mobilise help,” he said.
The country is expected to experience the northeast monsoon phenomenon in the fourth week of this month, compared with the initial forecast of early November.
It is expected to bring heavy rain and the risk of floods.
Meanwhile, the minister has also requested that the Malaysian Nasional News Agency (Bernama), the Broadcasting Department (RTM), the Information Department (JaPEN) and the Community Communications Department (J-Kom) assist in helping the public understand the essence of Budget 2025.
“In the recent Cabinet strategic communications committee meeting, we discussed strategies to help the public grasp the essence of the message and announcements that the Prime Minister will present next Friday,” he said.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will table Budget 2025 on Oct 18.
