PUTRAJAYA: The study into possible options for a direct disaster notification channel is in its final phase, says Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had already identified and was concluding its study into a number of alternatives to the current use of short messaging service (SMS) for disaster warning.
“Through coordinating with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) on possible ways each channel could be implemented, the study is now in its final phase.
“It will be an essential additional communication tool to help Nadma warn affected communities due its use of precise geo location,” he said after moderating a forum at Malaysian Ideas Conference (MyIDEAS) at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here on Wednesday (Nov 27).
He added that among the criteria being considered was each channel’s ability to provide affected communities the location of the temporary evacuation centers (PPS).
Previously, on Nov 23, Fahmi announced that MCMC had been assigned the task of exploring a direct disaster notification channel.
He explained that the disaster notification system would operate as a mobile phone alert, comparable to those used in South Korea and Japan.
These systems would see mobile phones automatically receive an immediate alert notification pop up on their screen instead of an SMS whenever a disaster occurs.
