NADMA to acquire boats, heavy vehicles for disaster response

KUCHING: The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will take steps to acquire boats and heavy vehicles for agencies involved in disaster response.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the High-Level Committee Meeting on National Disaster Management had recommended that NADMA acquire the assets for agencies such as the police, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force.

He, who is also National Disaster Management Council chairman, said the assets would then be operated by the agencies using them, while the agencies would also be responsible for maintenance.

“The recommendation from the meeting was for these assets to be purchased by NADMA and operated by the agencies, while their maintenance would also be carried out by the agencies concerned because they face problems in purchasing and maintaining assets.

“We decided that NADMA will take proactive steps in that direction,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after chairing the High-Level Committee Meeting on National Disaster Management at Wisma Bapa here today (Sept 16).

He said weather and monsoon patterns meant disaster-response assets would continue to be required across different periods.

“Sarawak experienced rain between January and March, requiring continued use of assets and security resources beyond the periods in which they are required elsewhere.”

He said the committee also wanted disaster coordination strengthened at district and locality levels.

“Professional advice from the Malaysian Meteorological Department and the existing early warning system should be used to allow action before conditions deteriorate.

“Before a flood occurs, before rainfall exceeds the normal average, evacuation should already have been carried out.

“Earlier evacuation is intended to prevent the loss of lives, property and important documents,” he said.

Zahid said proactive disaster management should also allow resources to be mobilised earlier, including assets not owned by the government but voluntarily managed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“We greatly appreciate the involvement of NGOs when disasters occur.

“For example, when there is no electricity and normal communication systems cannot be used, certain NGOs provide communications through amateur radio,” he said.

He said changes had also been made to food arrangements during disasters, with the Welfare Department providing food supplies while volunteers managed their distribution at temporary evacuation centres.

“This indirectly involves the community at certain temporary evacuation centres, where cooperation and coordination are carried out with NGOs,” he said.

He said disaster management required coordination not only between state governments and agencies within the states, but also among ministries, departments, agencies and enforcement bodies.

“NADMA would serve as the secretariat, while the Central Disaster Operations Control Centre would coordinate operational, health, public safety, asset, logistical and expertise requirements to ensure they could be mobilised quickly without duplication or delay.

“The aim is to allow action to be taken according to developments without waiting for conditions to become more critical.”