Relevant agencies urged to strengthen risk assessment

SIBU: Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek has urged relevant agencies to create greater public awareness concerning the impact of natural disasters, landslides, and fires.

He stressed that awareness among the public is important as prevention is better than cure.

“I call on all agencies involved in disaster management in Sibu Division to strengthen management and risk assessment so that negative impacts can be reduced.

“Disaster risk management is very important to help advance planning as well as identify alternatives,” he said at the Opening of the Sibu Division Table-Top Disasters Management Exercise 2024 yesterday (June 27).

Chieng also said that the incidence of natural disasters, landslides, and fires in Sibu Division is on an upward trend from 2022 to June 2024.

“According to the statistics from Sibu Civil Defence Force (APM), there were 33 disaster incidents reported in 2022, 36 in 2023, and 38 from January to June 2024. This includes Sibu, Kanowit, and Selangau,” he said.

Meanwhile, taking the example of the North-east Monsoon Phenomenon (MTL) which occurs every year, he stressed that it usually results in incidents of floods and landslides.

“Effective communication is the main key for a better disaster management response mechanism because immediate action could be taken, especially in terms of saving lives and reducing damage and losses due to incidents,” he added.

Sibu Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman said that the Table-Top Exercise was jointly organised by the Sibu Division Disaster Management Committee and Sibu Fire and Rescue Department.

The purpose of the programme was to prepare all agencies for disasters and improve the ability of officers in managing and handling disasters in their respective jurisdictions.