PETALING JAYA: Any future Disaster Risk Reduction Act in Malaysia must go beyond emergency response by establishing enforceable duties to prevent disasters, protect critical infrastructure, and enforce public accountability, says an international disaster management specialist.
Former United Nations (UN) principal security adviser Muniandy Shanmugam (pic) said Malaysia can draw lessons from Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and India by adapting their disaster frameworks to local federal and constitutional structures.
Muniandy, who headed UN forces in several war-torn and disaster-prone countries during his two-decade-long tenure with the organisation, said risk assessments must also consider cascading results, such as floods disrupting electricity, water supplies, telecommunications and access to hospitals at the same time.
Muniandy identified three key provisions that should form the backbone of any such legislation: enforceable duties to reduce disaster risks, requirements to maintain emergency operations under severe conditions and clear accountability mechanisms.
He said preparedness plans must account for situations in which first responders themselves become victims, emergency facilities become inaccessible and equipment or communications systems fail.
Muniandy stressed that contingency plans must include alternative command centres, succession protocols, reserve personnel, inter-state mutual aid and support networks for first responders’ families.
He said realistic joint exercises should test scenarios involving reduced staffing, failed communications, inaccessible facilities and simultaneous emergencies, with any weaknesses identified, addressed and tested again.
He also stressed the importance of supply-chain preparedness, including strategically located stockpiles, alternative suppliers and delivery routes, fuel availability and arrangements to replenish supplies in isolated communities.
Drawing lessons from Australia, he said Malaysia should strengthen arrangements for requesting assistance and mobilising resources across state boundaries when local capabilities are overwhelmed.
“New Zealand requires utility and transport operators to maintain essential services during crises, while India offers a model for embedding mitigation into national development planning,” said Muniandy, a former Royal Malaysia Police officer.
He said the legislation should establish a mandatory system of accountability, including independent reviews of disasters.
