PUCHONG: Malaysia will have its first disaster simulation centre and Asean’s second by next February, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The Deputy Works Minister said the project built in Pulau Meranti here at nearly RM33.4mil will simulate various disaster scenarios based on real-life situations to train the country’s 150 Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART).
The simulation training modules include cable car rescue (cable car accident rescue module), underground train accidents, rescuing from tilted and partially collapsed buildings, and abseiling tower exercises.
“We aim to become a highly efficient rescue team during disasters. There are approximately 150 SMART members, and this centre will provide optimal training for them," he told reporters after visiting the simulation site at the SMART Headquarters on Monday (Dec 16).
The project, overseen by the Selangor Public Works Department, is 99 per cent complete and will be Malaysia's first disaster simulation centre and the second in the ASEAN region after Singapore.
Ahmad Maslan said that the purpose of the simulation centre is to enhance the efficiency and professionalism of SMART members in dealing with various potential disasters.
He added that the site's facilities and technology are expected to support all the requirements for SMART to maintain its recognition by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), a body under the United Nations that coordinates the international network of rescue teams for cross-border disaster operations.
The project is owned by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) under the Prime Minister's Department, he added.
In a separate development, Ahmad also announced that the department will build permanent disaster evacuation centres within school compounds, a NADMA project under the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund.
He said that eight schools have been selected for the project, with two schools having received a letter of acceptance (SST), while six others are still in the planning phase.
The two schools are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Medan in Batu Pahat, Johor, and SK Gual Tinggi in Pasir Mas, Kelantan. The six other schools are SK Banggol Peradong (Terengganu), SK Benta (Kuala Lipis, Pahang), SK Perwira (Teluk Intan, Perak), SK Machang Bubok (Bukit Mertajam, Penang), SK Sungai Kelamah (Tampin, Negeri Sembilan) and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jerai (Kupang, Kedah). - Bernama
