PETALING JAYA: Disaster risk reduction must become a fundamental component of how Malaysia plans and develops the country, says an expert.
National Association for Geo-Disaster and Community Resilience Malaysia president Abd Rasid Jaapar said the country must move away from treating disasters as isolated emergencies managed primarily by rescue agencies. He pointed out that Malaysia also has the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, which is aligned with the United Nations’ Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
“A dedicated Act could provide the legal mandate, institutional authority, funding mechanisms and accountability needed to translate this policy into effective action across all levels of government and society,” he said.
Among the measures that should be included, he said, are towards adopting a comprehensive, multi-hazard and whole-of-society approach.
“Disaster risk reduction is multidisciplinary, involving geology, engineering, hydrology, meteorology, environmental science, public health, land-use planning and socioeconomic development,” he said.
He also said disaster risk reduction must become an integral part of national and local development planning.
“Major infrastructure projects, housing developments, industrial areas and public facilities should be assessed for relevant disaster risks throughout their planning, design, construction and operational phases.
“Local authorities should be required to incorporate disaster risk assessments into local plans and development control, supported by appropriate technical standards and enforcement mechanisms,” he said.
Abd Rasid added that multi-hazard risk assessments should be made a legal requirement.
“It should incorporate geological and geotechnical investigations, hydrological and hydraulic modelling, climate projections, satellite remote sensing, geospatial information systems and other appropriate tools.
“Where the risk is unacceptable, development should be restricted, redesigned or relocated as appropriate,” he said.
He said Malaysia can examine the international experience of countries with disaster risk reduction legislation, like the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
“These frameworks should be studied to identify provisions that could be adapted to our own institutional arrangements, federal-state relationships, socioeconomic conditions and hazard profile.
“The objective should be to develop a Malaysian framework that reflects our particular needs, including recurrent monsoon floods, landslides, slope instability, coastal hazards and the growing implications of climate change,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said a year-long study will be conducted to determine whether Malaysia needs a dedicated law on disaster risk reduction.
He said the findings would guide the future direction of national disaster management, including the development of an appropriate legal framework and the possible introduction of a Disaster Risk Reduction Act.
