GEORGE TOWN: Penang said it is protecting elderly people, children and residents with chronic diseases during extreme weather.
State environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu (pic) said Penang follows the Health Ministry heatwave guidelines issued in 2012.
"These guidelines detail the management of public health risks associated with extreme heat or heatwaves, including a structured action plan triggered by certain temperature thresholds, from the preparation phase to emergency measures.
"These guidelines identify high-risk groups such as the elderly, children and individuals with chronic diseases," he said during the state assembly sitting in Lebuh Light on Tuesday (May 12).
He was responding to written questions from Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PN-Sungai Dua) regarding the state government's preparedness to deal with extreme heat.
Sundarajoo said the state Health Department monitors heat-related illnesses using warnings from the Malaysian Meteorological Department. He said the department gives public advice and shares information with low-income B40 communities.
Sundarajoo said the state government provides financial assistance to all groups affected by natural disasters, regardless of their socio-economic status.
He said Penang gives RM1,000 to each affected household head through Bantuan Wang Ihsan. He said the next of kin of disaster victims receive RM10,000.
Sundarajoo said MetMalaysia issues monthly El Niño heatwave updates and daily hot weather updates. He said agencies also receive notices on dry spells, forest fire risks and haze forecasts.
In response to Muhammad Fauzi's question about Penang being prepared to face storms and tornadoes after such phenomena had become frequent, Sundarajoo, the state government, enhanced alerts through the Penang Alert website. He said the Penang Island City Council also used its Virtual Island of Penang module for real-time weather monitoring and storm detection.
Sundarajoo said the state carried out tree pruning, road maintenance, bridge maintenance and repairs to temporary evacuation centres. He said the state allocated RM80,000 in 2025 for those works.
