Zahid: Disaster preparedness key to reducing property losses
IPOH, Oct 11 — Preparedness in disaster management helps reduce property losses, including damage to public assets...
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness in reducing property losses and damage to public assets and infrastructure during a recent event in Ipoh. In 2024, the country experienced RM636.9 million in disaster-related losses, a decrease compared to RM933.4 million in the previous year.
Zahid stressed that preparedness should prioritize both human life and economic value, ensuring the protection of homes, livelihoods, and the fruits of people's hard work. He highlighted the significance of an early warning system, awareness programs, and National Preparedness Month (BKN) in building the capacity to address potential risks before disasters occur.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) provides these systems, notifying the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and Zahid himself three days in advance to enable evacuations. Zahid also stressed the importance of land-use planning, river management, and monitoring high-risk areas to mitigate disaster impacts.
He urged every state to translate the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030 into tailored action plans, assigning clear agency responsibilities and implementation targets. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) developed the Cell Broadcast System, which sends alerts directly to mobile phones in at-risk areas.
Over the past 10 months, nearly 30,000 volunteers from 45 agencies across 14 states participated in over 1,000 disaster relief missions. Zahid emphasized the need for effective communication and coordination, with information conveyed clearly and on time.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
