PETALING JAYA: The Civil Defence Force (APM) is identifying strategic locations to be designated as emergency shelters, ensuring the public has safe refuge during armed conflicts or crises that threaten public order.
It said that, in line with Section 2B(r) of the Civil Defence Act 1951 (Act 221), it is also developing comprehensive policies and technical guidelines for shelter specifications.
“This initiative builds upon APM’s operational experience, most notably during Ops Daulat 2013 in Lahad Datu, where APM successfully managed public shelters across four main halls to support affected victims,” APM told Sunday Star in an interview on civilian preparedness during armed conflicts and other security crises.
The Lahad Datu incursion in 2013 was a month-long armed stand-off in Sabah, when about 235 militants from the self-proclaimed “Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo” landed in Kampung Tanduo to press a territorial claim, sparking clashes that ended with a Malaysian military victory.
A shelter, in times of conflict or disaster, is commonly defined as a fortified refuge built to provide safety against blasts, debris and harsh weather.
It is designed for resilience, security, essential supplies and protection when normal homes are no longer safe.
“The Civil Defence Act 1951 (Act 221), Section 2B(r), formally empowers the APM to manage all shelters, including air-raid shelters and temporary shelters, in the event of an emergency,” the APM stated.
Last year, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and a countrywide blackout affecting Portugal and Spain saw several affluent communities investing in private bunkers.
It was also reported that in Spain, private bunker construction increased by 200% after the Russia-Ukraine war began in early 2022.
In Malaysia, there has yet to be any official record of private ready-made bunkers or shelters being purchased or built.
APM said building unofficial shelters or bunkers, or seeking refuge in the jungle, may appear to be a quick survival response during emergencies, but such actions only provide short-term protection and do not guarantee overall safety.
“If the public goes to the forest and builds their own shelters, there will be certain risks, including heavy rain, flash floods, dangerous animals such as snakes and wild boars, and communication signal issues, which will lead to difficulties for search and rescue teams,” it said.
Concurring, Nik Muhammad Hafiz, who runs the Urban Preppers Malaysia (UPMY) group, said Malaysia does not have a widespread culture of underground bunkers or public fallout shelters like some other countries.
At the same time, he added, Malaysians are largely unprepared for emergencies, especially in urban settings.
“In urban areas like Kuala Lumpur, there are no officially designated civilian bunkers for disasters. Most infrastructure planning here focuses on evacuation and response rather than shelter-in-place scenarios.
“As a result, UPMY members focus on practical, adaptable solutions – what we call ‘improvised resilience’.
“This includes identifying safe zones within homes, understanding evacuation routes, preparing go-bags and reinforcing existing living spaces. The goal is not to hide underground, but to stay safe, mobile and ready under real Malaysian conditions,” said Nik Muhammad, sharing that UPMY has also conducted training in communities and even schools on preparedness skills.
APM nonetheless cautioned the public against acting independently without official guidance.
“They are advised to keep emergency contact numbers such as MERS 999, download the MERS 999 app and be aware of designated Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) in their area.
“We also emphasise the importance of moving in groups rather than alone, as isolated survival efforts in forested environments can significantly increase risk.
“In addition, the public is encouraged to learn basic survival skills in a responsible manner, such as utilising natural resources, basic navigation and survival techniques,” it added.
To ensure the public can evacuate to identified shelters in time, APM said the Public Warning System (PWS), the primary emergency communication channel, remains under its jurisdiction.
“It involves utilising warning sirens, public announcements and rapid alert systems to broadcast threat levels and the locations of activated shelters.
“During an emergency, the public is advised to remain vigilant and monitor the PWS coordinated by the APM.
“This is crucial for the orderly mobilisation of citizens to the nearest shelters or PPS identified under the mandate of Act 221, ensuring the preservation of life and public safety.”
