PUTRAJAYA: The National Disaster Management Council (MPBN) is a testimony of the government’s commitment to shifting from post-disaster reaction to prioritising preparedness, prevention and risk reduction, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
He said the country needed a structure for faster strategic decisions, smoother coordination and seamless on-the-ground action – bridging any federal-state gaps.
“We’re not just reacting to disasters – we want the country prepared in advance, minimise risks, and damage to lives, property and the economy kept to a minimum.”
The new setup, he added, would also strengthen the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) as lead body, enhancing its capacity, expertise and operations for effective performance at every level.
Yesterday, the government agreed to form the MPBN, with permanent members including all Mentris Besar, Chief Ministers and the Sarawak Premier.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that stronger state-level coordination was vital, as quick and organised responses at state and district levels are the key to success.
“Federal-state ties must tighten for closer, clearer collaboration, making the national disaster chain a unified team,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid, who is the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, also said Malaysia and Brunei will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster management, particularly expertise sharing, capacity building and joint training.
He said the effort was implemented through collaboration between Nadma and Brunei’s National Disaster Management Centre, which has been the main platform for coordinating various initiatives since 2022.
He said Malaysia and Brunei also agreed to emphasise the importance of implementing integrated cross-border disaster management exercises regularly as the two countries share a long land border.
“Efforts to develop standard operating procedures for cross-border disaster management are being actively carried out to ensure a coordinated, rapid and effective response in the event of a disaster in the border area,” he said.
Earlier, he received a courtesy call from Brunei’s Home Minister Datuk Seri Setia Awang Ahmaddin Abdul Rahman at Perdana Putra Building here in conjunction with his delegation’s working visit from April 8 to 10.
The visit is a manifestation of the close and special friend-ship between Malaysia and Brunei based on similarities in history, culture, language and family ties.
Ahmad Zahid said he shared the establishment of the MPBN as the highest platform to strengthen governance and coordination of disaster management more comprehensively.
“Malaysia has also introduced the National Preparedness Month as a continuous movement to instil a culture of preparedness among the people at all levels in facing any risk and disaster challenges,” he said.
