KUALA LUMPUR: With Malaysia assuming the Asean chairmanship in 2025, it has the opportunity to take a more proactive role in enhancing disaster management across the region, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship, themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability", there would be broader opportunities for improving disaster management within the country.
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"As chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP), I am proud of the whole-of-nation approach that has been practised in all phases of disaster management, including at the regional and international levels.
"Besides Asean member countries, Malaysia is also recognised by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (Insarag) of the United Nations through the deployment of the Smart Team to Türkiye, participation in disaster policy negotiations and joint training with foreign agencies," he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 26).
He said that the Madani government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will continue to prioritise strengthening policies, accelerating implementation and expanding cooperation as the country faces climate change and increasingly complex disasters.
"Disaster preparedness will be assessed not solely by the function and efficiency of administration at the government level but by the value of the collective responsibility of all people to protect the lives, livelihoods and future of our country together," he added.
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Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that the government is currently focused on post-flood efforts and humanitarian aid for all victims following the conclusion of the 2024/2035 Northeast Monsoon season.
"Every year, the government, through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), ensures that all agencies under the JPBP, as well as the state and district disaster management committees, are prepared to tackle all forms of disasters for the safety of the people.
"All disaster management initiatives and mechanisms implemented by Nadma, as the leading agency, serve as benchmarks for the effectiveness of policies towards the system's preparedness and the spirit of nationwide cooperation for the future," he stated.
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He further noted that the disaster aid allocation by the Federal government in 2024 reflected the Madani government's concern for disaster victims nationwide.
"This included RM232mil for all states for the distribution of RM1,000 as Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) to household heads affected by disasters and RM10,000 as BWI death assistance to the next of kin of disaster victims.
"RM9.28mil was allocated for disaster operations management to Nadma to facilitate response and rescue operations for disaster victims at the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) and Control Posts on Scene (PKTK), whether at the central, state or district levels," he said.
Additionally, Ahmad Zahid noted that prevention and mitigation measures were the main focus last year, including cloud seeding operations in selected areas, reflecting the government's increasingly proactive approach to risk reduction.
In terms of operational efficiency, he mentioned that structured training for officers at PKOB and PKTK has been widely implemented.
"The capability to respond has been enhanced through the placement of five Bailey bridges at strategic locations and the procurement of 49 mobile water pumps with the cooperation of the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) in 2024. "These pumps have been distributed to Perak, Johor and Kelantan to expedite the process of draining out stagnant flood waters," he concluded. – Bernama
