1.
Although Malaysia is
geographically outside the gPacific Rim of Fireh and is relatively free from
any severe ravages and destruction caused by natural disasters such as
earthquake, typhoons and volcanic eruptions, nevertheless the country is
subjected to monsoonal floods, landslides and severe haze episodes. The country
also from time to time experiences some man-made disasters which causes
considerable damages to property and loss of lives. To mention a few, Malaysia
had experienced disasters (natural and man-made) during the last five years as
follows:
i. Fire and explosions at Bright Sparklers factory
in Sungai Buloh in 1991 which claimed 22 lives.
ii. Fire and explosions at South Port Klang in 1992 which claimed 10 lives.
iii. Collapse
of Highland Towers Condominium at Hulu Kelang in 1993 which claimed 48 lives.
iv. Landslide
at Genting Highlands in 1995 which claimed 20 lives.
v. Mudslide
at the Aborigines village at Pos Dipang, Perak on 29 August 1996 which claimed
44 lives and the damage of 30 houses.
vi. Tropical
Storm eGregf which struck Keningau, Sabah in December 1996 which claimed 238
lives.
vii. Severe
haze episodes in July - November 1997 caused by forest
fires which had adverse health effects on the people and on the economy of the
nation.
viii. Landslide
at Sandakan, Sabah on 7 February, 1999 due to heavy downpour which claimed 17
lives and damaged 4 houses.
2.
Experience from the
above mentioned disasters indicated that there is a need to address disaster
mitigation problems efficiently and effectively to alleviate the suffering of
the people and reduce the loss of lives and damage to properties.
3.
This paper outlines the
disaster management and relief mechanisms and summarises some of the
accomplishments, current activities and future requirements for Disaster
Reduction in Malaysia.
1. The National Security Division
The National Security
Division (NSD) in the Prime Ministerfs Department is responsible for
coordination of all activities related to disaster. The National Security
Council (NSC) Directive No. 20 was issued to provide guidelines on the
management of disasters including the responsibilities and functions of the
various agencies under an integrated emergency management system.
2. Disaster Management And Relief Committee
To carry out the
responsibilities of the NSC of coordinating all the activities related to
disaster, i.e. the various aspect of preparation, prevention, response,
recovery and rehabilitation, The Disaster Management and Relief Committee was
established at three different levels, i.e. at the Federal, State and District
levels, whereby the NSD is the Secretariat. The main functions of the Disaster
Management and Relief Committee (DMRC) are as follows:
i. At Federal level, DMRC is responsible in the
formulation of national polices and strategies regarding the alertness and the
preparation of various agencies involved in the handling of
disasters. The DMRCs at the State and District levels are required to implement
and carry out such policies and strategies.
ii. To
ensure sound coordination among the agencies involved in the handling of
disasters and determine the roles of the principal emergency services (Police,
Medical and Fire Department) and other supporting services.
ϊB. To
activate the Disaster Operation Control Centre at District, State or Federal Level
whenever required.
iv. To
coordinate and mobilise whatever resources and logistics available from
Government agencies and if necessary also from the private sector.
v. To coordinate assistance and rehabilitation to disaster victims.
vi. To
carry out gpost mortemh and report upon completion of the disaster operations
for the purpose of recording and performance evaluation for future reference
and planning.
Composition Of Disaster Management And Relief Committee
The members of the
Disaster Management and Relief Committee are as follows:
a) Federal Level
Chairman : Minister of
Information.
Members : Minister of National Unity and Community Development.
Minister of Finance.
Chief Secretary to the
Government.
Chief of Armed Forces.
Inspector General of
Police.
Director General of
Health.
Director General of
National Security Division.
Director General of
Fire and Rescue Department.
Director General of
Atomic and Energy Licensing Board.
Director General of
Road and Transport Department.
Director General of
Public Work and Utilities Department.
Director General of
Department of Environment.
Director General of
Meteorological Department.
Director General of
Drainage and Irrigation Department.
Representatives from
Ministry of Finance and Attorney General Office.
Director General of
Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
Secretary : Director
Crisis and Disaster
Management Unit
National Security Division
Prime Ministerfs Department.
b) State Level
Chairman : State
Secretary.
Members : State Chief
Police Officer
Brigade Commander of
Armed Forces
State Director of Fire
and Rescue
Department
State Director of
Health
Other Directors of
various relevant
government agencies /
departments at State Level.
Secretary : Director of
State NSD.
c) District Level
Chairman : District
Officer
Members : Officer in
charge of Police District (OCPD)
District Fire Officer
Medical and Health
Officer
Representatives from
various relevant
departments and
agencies at District Level
Secretary : Assistant
Director for District NSD.
On-Scene Control Post (OSCP)
An On-Scene Control
Post (OSCP) will be opened immediately as soon as disaster has occurred. The
On-Scene Commander will be either the OCPD, CPO, or the Director, Internal
Security and Public Order Royal Malaysia Police, depending on the level of
disaster. The main functions of the On-Scene Commander are as follows:
i. To make an early
assessment at the scene of potential or actual disaster and immediately activate OSCP if deemed necessary.
ii. To
identify the equipment and logistic requirement in handling the disaster.
iii. To
coordinate the functions of various agencies involved in search and rescue
operation.
iv. To
report and advise the Disaster Management and Relief Committee at their
respective level.
Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance And Rescue Team (SMART)
SMART was established
in 1995 as directed by the NSC Directive No.19. SMART is directly responsible
to the Director, Crisis and Disaster Management Unit, NSD. SMART comprises of
85 officers and personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, Royal Malaysia
Police and The Armed Forces. The Team is equipped with specialized skills and
equipmentfs to respond to any search and rescue operation in any major disaster
on land which is beyond the capabilities of the existing principal emergency
services Search and Rescue (SAR) teams. The team members were trained in SAR
training institutions abroad such as the USA, Sweden, Australia and Singapore.
The decision on the mobilization and the deployment of the SMART team is made
by the Director, General of the NSD or the Director, Crisis and Disaster
Management Unit.
The Role Of The Malaysian Meteorological Service In Disaster Management
The Malaysian Meteorological
Service (MMS) is the agency responsible to provide information and warning
occurrences adverse weather phenomena to the general public through the mass
media or to other government agencies directly involved in disaster mitigation.
A Central Forecasting Office has been established in the Meteorological.
Headquarters to monitor closely the weather and sea conditions over the
Malaysian region. Special emphasis was given to the following:
a) Heavy Rainfall
Prolonged widespread
heavy rainfall are often experienced in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia,
Sabah and Sarawak during the Northeast Monsoon season from November to January
causing floods in low lying area. The MMS monitors the weather and issues
advisories and warnings regarding impending occurrence of heavy rain spells to
the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the National Security Council as
well as the State Operations Rooms.
b) Strong Wind and Heavy Rainfall Associated With Tropical Storms
Although Malaysia is
not directly affected by the destructive forces of typhoons, however the
northern part of the country especially Sabah experience the strong wind
associated with tail effect of typhoons and tropical storms in the West Pacific
Ocean and South China Sea areas. On very rare occasions, the northern part of the
country is directly hit by tropical storms. Tropical storm eGregf which hit
Sabah on Christmas eve of 1996 brought heavy rain and strong wind which claimed
238 lives. Hence, the MMS monitors the formation of tropical storms in the Malaysian
region very closely to ensure that adequate warning can be given to potential
victims so as to reduce the adverse impact of these devastating storms.
c) Strong Wind And High Waves
The MMS also
continuously monitors the sea conditions and issues warnings of strong wind and
high waves over Malaysian territorial waters to vessels and oil rigs operating
in the area.
d) Intense Haze Episodes
The MMS works very
closely with ASEAN specialized Meteorological Centre in Singapore to monitor
and issue long range forecast for the ASEAN region, with special emphasis on
the drought condition affecting the region by the El Nino phenomena. MMS also
monitors the occurrences of local and cross-boundary haze in the country and
provides meteorological information, including satellite pictures depicting
locations of forest fifes, to the various government agencies involve in the
prevention, monitoring and remedial measures to combat haze caused by open
burning, forest fires and other sources of smoke.
e) Drought
The 1997/98 El Nino had
caused very significant reduction in rainfall from January to April in Sabah,
northern Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Besides monitoring the drought
conditions, the MMS also conducts cloud seeding as an attempt to induce rains
and to increase the water levels in dams in the affected area.
Roles And Functions Of The Drainage And Irrigation Department Of Malaysia (DID)
a) Flood
Flood is the most
severe natural disaster in Malaysia from the perspective of area extent,
population affected and economic impact. The National Water Resources Study
(1982) estimated that some 29,000 sq. Km (9% of the total land area) were flood
prone and more than 2.7 million people (18%) were affected. The average flood
damage was estimated at RMl00 million at 1995 price.
b) Flood Control Measures
After the disastrous
flood of 1971 which affected many areas in Malaysia, various strategies and
measures have been implemented by the Government to mitigate flood impacts.
Such strategies include:
i. Establishment of the Permanent Flood Control
Commission in December 1971 to implement flood control measures in order to
reduce flood occurrence and to minimise flood damages in the events of flood.
ii. Establishment
of the Natural Disaster Relief Committee in 1972 with the task to coordinate
flood relief operations at federal, state and district levels. (The Committee
was replaced by the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee in 1997).
iii. Implementation
of structural flood mitigation measures.
iv. Provision
of flood forecasting and warning services to river basins experiencing frequent
floods.
Since 1971, the
Drainage and Irrigation Department of Malaysia (DID) has been designated with
task to implement structural flood mitigation works. Flood mitigation plans
have been developed for 17 major river basins and 27 towns. Based on these
plans, various structural and non-structural measures have been proposed and
partially implemented. Such measures include improving river channel sections,
building of flood bunds, levees, ring bunds, by-pass flood ways, use of mining
pools for flood attenuation and construction of flood retention dams to
regulate flood flows and minimise flood occurrence.
c) Flood Forecasting And Warning Services (FFW)
i. Telemetry System
DID is directly
involved in the collection and analysis of real-time river water level and
rainfall data for flood forecasting and warning operation during the flood
season. To date, a total of 72 rainfall and 89 water level telemetric stations
have been installed by the DID in river basins for FFW purpose. The telemetry
data are transmitted through VHF Radio, telephone or satellite. Similar systems
are being implemented for another 10 river basins under the Seventh Malaysia
Plan (1966-2000). Presently real time flood forecast are issued for 7 river
basins by the DID state offices during the flood season. The forecast river levels
have greatly enhanced relief operations and evacuation during flood period.
ii. Manual Flood Level Monitoring
In addition to the telemetric
stations, a total of 137 manual flood level monitoring stations have been set
up at strategic locations in the country to monitor the river level on a
real-time basis during the flood period. Whenever a river level exceeds a
predetermined critical level, the local observer shall transmit continuously
real-time water level information to the DID state office via telephone or VHF
radio equipment. These information are further transmitted to the flood
operation rooms at the district, state or federal level for flood relief
operation.
iii Flood Warning Sirens
In river basins, which
are subject to flash flood, little lead time is available for effective
warning. Therefore, a total of 60 flood warning sirens, which automatically
trigger once the flood level reaches a critical point, have been installed at
strategic locations along such rivers. These warning sirens are especially
useful when flash floods occur at night.
iv. Flood Warning Boards
A total of 60 flood
warning boards have been installed in flood prone areas in the major river
basins. Levels marked on these warning boards are correlated to the levels at
the observation points upstream. The residents of the villages are able to
assess for themselves the impending flood situation in their areas based on
real-time upstream river and the forecast levels shown at the warning boards.
d) Drought
Hydrology and
irrigation are two the main functions of DID. During a drought situation, a
task force will be set up by the DID to monitor and evaluate the drought
situation at padi growing areas in the country.
Based on analysis of
rainfall, river levels and discharge data, various measures have been
implemented to reduce the impact of water deficit on padi production.
Role And Functions Of The Social Welfare Department In Disaster Management
Under the NSC Directive
No. 20 on Policy and Mechanism of Disaster Management and Relie1~ the Social
Welfare Department has four main functions. These functions, which are related
to Relief and Rehabilitation activities, are as follows:
i. The provision and management of relief/evacuation centres and forward-supply base.
- In Malaysia, there are a total of 3,417 designated
relief) evacuation centres, which can accommodate 943,000 evacuees, and a total
of 348 forward-supply bases.
ii. The
provision and distribution of relief assistance, which includes food, clothing
and other essential items to the affected victims.
iii. The
registration of disaster victims for purposes of rehabilitation.
iv. To
provision of gpost-traumah counselling services to the affected victims.
v. In
practice, the Social Welfare Department, being a member of the National
Disaster Management and Relief Committee, will play its role before, during and
after the occurrence of disasters.
vi. The
Preparedness Stage
To identify the locations of Relief/Evacuation
Centres and Forward Supply Bases especially in the flood prone areas.
To update the list of names of officials, who need
to be contacted and mobilised in the event of any disaster (their addresses and
telephone numbers).
To identify the names of Suppliers/Agencies who will supply relief
assistance, namely food stuffs (dry and wet rations) and other necessities.
To set up the corp of Volunteers/Task Force,
comprising members of the Premier Welfare Brigade and other voluntary
organization.
To update the Operation Rooms.
To prepare duty lists for the officials and
volunteers.
To provide training courses for the officials and
volunteers in disaster management work.
To send dry rations to forward-supply bases, prior to the event of a
disaster.
vi. Response
Stage
To register the affected victims/evacuees.
To manage the relief/evacuation centres and
forward-supply bases.
To distribute food supplies and other necessities.
To mobilize the volunteers/task force to help in
registration and food distribution works.
To organize suitable activities for the
evacuees in the relief/ evacuation centres.
To provide gpost-traumah counselling services to
victims suffering from stress, depressions, etc.
vii. Recover / Restoration Stage
To evaluate the damage involved, including the
damage o houses, crops and livestock.
To propose and draw up appropriate rehabilitation
programmes/plan.
-To provide gshort-termh and glong-termh relief/aid
from the existing financial aid schemes.
Relief Assistance Schemes
Relief assistance
schemes include the following:
i. Short-Term Schemes
To provide food and temporary shelter.
To
give compensation to victims, either to repair or rebuild their houses.
ii. Long-Term Schemes
-To provide monthly financial assistance.
-To give launching grants.
-To give compensation for the loss of crops and livestock
3. Landslides
Besides flooding,
Malaysia is occasionally subjected to landslides. Just as flooding, landslides
inflict a heavy toll on human life and property. Described as an abrupt and
short-lived geomorphic erosion process, landslides can be attributed to the
internal properties of earth materials, the geomorphic setting, and independent
external factors that influence the stability of slopes. In addition, excessive
precipitation and human activities have contributed to slope instability and
set the stage for landsliding.
Of late, Malaysia had
experienced two major landslides. Farming activities involving indiscriminate
clearing of land, coupled with continuous downpours, were partly blamed for
landslides in Cameron Highlands over four days from 4th-7th December 1994
resulting in the death of 7 people. Another landslide on 30th June 1995, took
place about 39 km from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The site of the tragic
incident was a slip road leading to the Genting Highlands resorts. Part of the
hill came crashing down as flood waters washed tons of earth and fallen trees
down the hilly slope. About a dozen or so vehicles including cars, buses and
vans which were on their way to Genting Highlands, were swept down. 21 people
loss their lives, while 22 other were injured. The exact cause of the landslide
has not been fully determined yet.
4. Landslide Reduction Measures
In spite of the growing
geologic understanding of the landslide processes and a rapidly improving
engineering capability for landslide control, losses and casualties caused by
landslides are on the increase. This is partly a consequence of residential and
commercial development activities that are carried out on steep sloping terrain
that is prone to landslip. In order to control and reduce the impact of
landslides, the Government has undertaken legislative and non-legislative
measures such as:
identification and mapping of landslides prone areas;
adaptation of landuse regulation in landslip-prone areas;
development of design and building codes that will ensure the construction
practices appropriate to the maintenance or enhancement of slope stability;
amendments to Land Conservation Act 1960 to enable the government to have
a comprehensive monitoring of development activities on hillslopes; and
amendments to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Rules 1987. This is to
enable the government to have a closer monitoring and enforcement over
development projects on hilly areas for the construction of roads, buildings
and recreational facilities.
5. Public Education And Awareness On Disaster Reduction
In order to enhance
disaster preparedness, the Malaysian Government has continuously carried out
public education on disaster prevention to the people living in flood prone
areas with the ultimate objective of protecting of human lives and property, as
well as avoiding or minimising social disruption and economic losses. Public education
and awareness programmes are carried out through the various media including TV
and radio broadcast, aimed at enhancing public awareness of the dangers of
natural disasters. Civic education and practical training in life saving
techniques are also conducted in the natural disaster prone areas. In addition,
presentations on life-saving during floods have been made and pamphlets on
disaster prevention targeted at children in flood prone areas during the
monsoon season were also circulated.
Agencies such the
Malaysian Red Crescent Society and Civil Defence Department have also played
their part in educating the public especially children on how to protect
themselves against floods. Therefore, public education and awareness on
disaster reduction in Malaysia is aimed at creating a higher level of community
awareness including the ability of putting into place appropriate emergency
measures, so that they could withstand the impact of natural disasters and
prepare for and survive disasters.
6. Forest Fire And Severe Haze
The northern region of
Sarawak and the western part of Sabah in Malaysia have been experiencing severe
drought since late December 1997 that has been brought about by the El Nino
phenomenon. The drought has brought about incidences of bush fires, mainly
within the vicinity of Miri, Lawas, Limbang and Marudi in Sarawak and Sipitang
in Sabah. In Miri, bush fire occurred in the dry peat areas during the first
week of February 1998. The fires spread over a total area of more than 3,000
hectares. In Lawas, bush fire occurred in peat areas covering a total area of
1,000 hectares. A few incidences of bush fifes covering approximately 70
hectares were also detected during March -April period
in the State of Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia. The smoke from these peat and
forest fires had resulted in severe haze episodes, especially in northern
Sarawak, western Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and to some
event, southern Thailand.
Actions To Combat Forest Fire And Haze
To combat the forest fire
and haze problem, the Malaysia Government implemented the following measures:
Activate the National Haze Action Plan.
Activate
an operation center to coordinate the activities to combat haze and forest
fires.
Mobilize
fire-fighting personnel from the Fire Services and Rescue Department to fight
fires on ground, equipped with specialized fife-fighting equipment.
Mobilize the Army, Police and Local Authorities personnel to assist the
Fire Services and Rescue Department in the fire fighting.
Undertake
aenal water bombing of area of forest fire.
·
Institute legal action against
offenders of open burning in plantations.
Carry out air surveillance to detect bush fires.
7. International Cooperation
Memorandum Of Understanding Between Malaysia and Indonesia
Malaysia and Indonesia
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Disaster Cooperation and
Assistance on 11 December 1997 allowing the two countries to work together to
manage and handle any forms of disaster that may occur. The MoU on Disaster Cooperation
and Assistance was signed by H.E. Datuk Seri Mohamed bin Rahmat, who is the
National Disaster Management and Relief Committee Chairman as well as the
Minister of Information, on behalf of the Malaysian Government and H.E. Datof
Seri Utama ft. Azwar Anas, Coordinating Minister for Peoplefs Welfare and also
Chairman of the Indonesia National Disaster Management Coordinating Board
(BAKORNAS-PB) on behalf of the Indonesian Government.
The initial objective
of the MoU was for Malaysia and Indonesia to jointly tackle the haze problem,
but the two countries had decided to include other areas of disaster management
and assistance.
Under the MoU, both
countries had agreed to the followings:
i. Exchange of expertise and information on the
latest technology related to disaster prevention, risk reduction, response,
mitigation, recovery and rehabilitation including teledetection. This also
includes technology on detection by satellites, data interpretation and rescue
operations in collapsed buildings or structures.
ϊA. Training
of officers and personnel in disaster management, the concept of aeromobility
emergency services (including the use of heliborne technique) and search and
rescue techniques both on land and sea.
iii. Sharing
of experience through seminars, conferences and publications on disaster
management.
iv. Collaboration
on public health studies related to the effects of particular disasters.
8. Agreement Between The Government Of Malaysia And the Government Of The French Republic On Co-Operation For Disaster Prevention And Management And Public Safety
The agreement was
signed on May 25, 1998 in Paris, France by H.E. Datuk Seri Mohamed
bin Rahmat, Chairman of National Disaster Management and Relief Committee on
behalf of Malaysia and H.E. Mr. Jean-Pierre Chevenement, Minister of Interior,
France on behalf of the French Government.
sharing their public
health experiences, especially with regard to chemical, industrial and
environmental hazards;
exchanging information
on each countryfs laws and regulations pertaining to environment pollution and
hazards;
exchanging technology
and scientific information relating to natural, man-made and technological
disasters or major incidents through electronic media, forum and publications;
and
participation of specialists
of one party in the relevant national technical training programmes of the
other party.
9. gDISTRESS 1/97h-Joint SMART And DART Rescue Exercise
The first joint rescue
exercise involving two elite rescue teams, the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance
and Rescue Team (SMART) and Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) of
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), was held in Genting Highlands, Malaysia
on 25 - 26 November 1997. The joint exercise codename
gDISTRESS 1/97h was based on the scenario of a collapse of an apartment at the
hillslope of Genting Highlands due to a landslide, resulting in about 40
occupants being trapped. SMART and DART were given the task of handling
complicated rescue problems in this major simulated disaster. The district disaster
management elements and the local rescue and emergency relief agencies such as
Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, The Malaysian Armed Forces,
Medical Emergency Response Team, Civil Defence Department and The Malaysian Red
Crescent Society were involved at a minimal level. 35 DART and 26 SMART
rescuers were involved in the joint exercise.
The joint exercise was
to promote better teamwork, proficiency and exchange of experience among SMART
and DART members. The exercise also helped to verify and evaluate the
preparedness of SMART and DART in conducting specialized search and rescue
operations and promote a better understanding of each otherfs operational
concepts. The joint exercise was officially opened on 25 November 1997 by H.E. Datuk
Seri Mohamed bin Rabmat, Malaysia Minister of Information and also the Chairman
of the Malaysia National Disaster Management and Relief Committee.
In order to further
strengthen the existing close cooperation and goodwill between the two elite
rescue teams of Malaysia and Singapore, both countries agreed in principle to
have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Disaster Management and Assistance.
Perhaps the joint exercise and the proposed MoU could be used as a basis to
pave the way for similar cooperations in disaster management among ASEAN
members countries in the future.
10. Cooperation Between Malaysia And Brunei On Forest Fire Fighting
Malaysia and Brunei
have agreed on 1 April 1998 to cooperate and help each other in fighting the
forest fires at the Sarawak - Brunei border. Both countries
have pledged to cooperate and exchange experience in fire fighting technique at
the border areas.
In principle, both
countries have agreed to cooperate in conducting cloud seeding and water
bombing operations on areas affected by drought, haze and forest fires,
particularly at the border areas of both countries. In addition, exchange of
information of weather and air quality indices will be intensified. Malaysia
also allows Brunei fire fighters to use water from the Limbang River in Sarawak
for forest fire fighting operation. Thus this cooperation between the two
countries is a positive step towards addressing effectively future haze
problems prevailing in the border areas of Sarawak and Brunei.
1) Sub-Regional Fire Fighting Arrangements (SRFAs)
During the Third ASEAN
Environment Ministerial Meeting on Haze held on 4 April 1998 in Bandar Seri
Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, it was agreed that Sub-Regional Fire Fighting
Arrangements (SRFAs) are to be established for Kalimantan and Sumatera/Riau
provinces. The SRFAs would ensure at all cost that fires are prevented from
becoming an economic and environmental threat in Sumatera and Riau provinces,
and that fires in East Kalimantan must be contained and not allowed to spread
to Central and West Kalimantan. The SRFAs will incorporate mechanisms to
rapidly activate and mobilise efforts to put out fires before they get out of
control, and to manage additional and complementary resources from within and
outside the region. In this regard, Malaysia was given the task of
fire-fighting coordination. Malaysia is to work out procedures to activate,
mobiise and channel fire-fighting resources to target sites.
1. Risk and Vulnerability Analysis
Such analysis should be
mandatory in the appraisal of all development projects. Pilot risk mapping
projects and hazard and vulnerability analysis should be conducted at the micro-level
using where appropriate, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing
(RS) technology.
2. Non-Structural Mitigation Measures
1) Disaster Management System
The need to strengthen
national disaster management organisational structures and support them with
sound administrative, financial arrangements and assets mobilisation.
2) Training
To increase in training
activities in the country through international support and cooperation by
multilateral and bilateral organisation, NGOfs and others. Also to undertake
training programmes for core disasters management personnel as well as
supporting personnel in order to enhance disaster coordination and response.
3) Public Awareness
The need for more
sustained public awareness programs directed at local communities in disaster
prone areas through international cooperation and assistance.
4) Forecasting And Warning Systems
The need to improve in
the methods and technology of warning system for flood, landslides and forest
fire.
5) Hazard Mapping
The need to improve
hazard mapping at macro and micro level.
3. Structural Mitigation Measures
The need to implement
structural mitigation measures in both engineered and non-engineered
structures, such as landslide control measures, river embankments and etc.
International cooperation in the transfer of knowledge and expertise in the
structural measures could greatly improve disaster reduction system in the
country.
4.
International
assistance in improving disaster reduction system by integrating disaster
reduction measures in disaster prone areas could reduce, the loss, damage and
economic disruption caused by natural disasters in the country.
1.
Policy makers as well
as disaster and development experts recognise that each nationfs ability to
achieve sustainable economic development can be increased by reducing the
impact of disasters. Therefore, Malaysia is integrating disaster reduction in
its international cooperation through enhancing regional cooperation in all
aspects of disaster management, including, prevention, mitigation,
preparedness, response and recovery, through more effective mutual assistance
activities, in order to minimise the adverse consequences of disasters on the
economic and social development internally.
2.
Much has been
accomplished within Malaysia in terms of disaster reduction since the onset of
the International Decade For The Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). In the
spirit of IDNDR, which seeks to support sustainable economic development,
natural hazard risk assessment, mitigation and warnings must be embedded in
Malaysiafs development plans and process.
3.
Except for flooding and
occasional occurrences of landslides, Malaysia is relatively not affected by
other major natural disasters. However, our involvement in IDNDR is significant
through our participation in a concerted international action aimed at reducing
the impact of natural disasters in the Asian region. As a member of the UN,
Malaysia fully supports and participates in the UNfs efforts in the reduction
of natural disaster by observing the UN sponsored International Day for Natural
Disaster Reduction on October 13th, aimed at enhancing public awareness on the
effect of natural disasters and undertaking various activities towards reducing
natural disasters. In this respect, Malaysia is advancing its mission in
national disaster management through effective coordination and integrated approach
in the building of a Culture of Prevention and Civil ProtectionlPublic Safety
in the community. Thus, Malaysia hopes to create a safe environment for the
community through Disaster Management, sustainable development and risk
reduction in the 21st century.
Exchanging. sharing and acquiring disaster management information on:
laws and regulations.
policies and strategic plans.
risk management methods.
organisatlonal structure.
resource directories.
preparedness plans.
operational procedures.
education and training.
monitoring data.
warnings and alerts.
response calls
incident management.
press release.
situation reports.
mitigation technologies.
disaster countermeasures.
restoration activities.
Exchanging and acquiring of articles, bulletins, journals, newsletter, magazines, publications, etc.
Exchanging of experts and specialists on disaster prevention, risk reduction, response, mitigation, recovery and rehabilitation.
Training of officers and personnel in disaster management and search and rescue.
Conducting of joint exercises on search and rescue.
Sharing of experiences through seminars, meetings, and conference on disaster management.
Cooperating in rendering and receiving of disaster assistance.
Crisis and Disaster Management Unit
National Security Divison
Prime Ministerfs Department
September 1998
