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PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
FOREIGN TIE-UPS TO BOOST S.M.A.R.T.
- Admin UKK
- Berita
MALAYSIA will partner with Japan, Russia and South Korea to broaden the country’s disaster management international collaborations and strengthen the capabilities of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART).
National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said negotiations to finalise memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with these countries were expected to be concluded this year.
“We’ve already discussed the MoU with Japan, while talks with Russia and South Korea are in the final stages.
“However, the final decision will depend on cabinet approval, as it must be in line with Malaysia’s national interests,” he told Bernama in a recent interview.
Malaysia has signed MoUs on disaster management with Singapore, Indonesia and Turkiye, reflecting international recognition of SMART’s expertise.
“These MoUs not only formalise operational collaboration but are also recognition of SMART’s capabilities, with other nations keen to learn from our experience,” he said.
Khairul Shahril said the cooperation would strengthen strategic ties and enhance search-and-rescue efficiency through training with foreign rescue teams.
He said the government was considering expanding SMART, especially in light of the SAR experience gained in the Gaziantep earthquake in Turkiye in February 2023.
Currently, the team’s composition complies with standards set by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), consisting of two units totalling 160 personnel.
SMART comprises personnel drawn from the Fire and Rescue Department, police, and armed forces.
Khairul Shahril said personnel would return to their units after their SMART service ended and there were discussions with the Public Service Department to explore ways of retaining their expertise within the team.
“We’re also exploring ways for former SMART members to continue participating in training after returning to their original departments.
“This would allow us to mobilise them for operations when needed,” he said.
Khairul Shahril said SMART had participated in drills organised by the Asean secretariat and had received requests from neighbouring countries, including Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia, to advise their rescue units on getting INSARAG certification.
He said SMART had also been invited to various international SAR conferences. “SMART is the second team in Southeast Asia to be recognised by INSARAG after Singapore. The team’s increasing role as a global reference in SAR operations elevates Malaysia’s international profile.
“The willingness of other nations, including advanced economies, to collaborate with us in training underscores SMART’s global reputation and, by extension, enhances Malaysia’s stature,” he added.
SUBANG JAYA – Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim berkenan melawat lokasi kejadian kebakaran saluran paip gas di Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights di sini, hari ini.
Seri Paduka Baginda berangkat tiba di Pos Kawalan Tempat Kejadian (PKTK) kira-kira pukul 9.40 pagi dengan menaiki kereta Proton Satria berwarna ungu yang disambut Raja Muda Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Turut hadir, Menteri Besar Selangor, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Ketua Setiausaha Negara, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar dan Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
Seri Paduka Baginda kemudian dijadual menyerahkan sumbangan kepada ketua isi rumah terlibat dan melawat pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) di Masjid Putra Heights.
Sementara itu, tinjauan Kosmo! di PKTK mendapati pihak berkuasa serta agensi lain masih melakukan kawalan dan tindakan susulan di tempat kejadian.
Antara yang terlibat ialah Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) dan pihak berkuasa tempatan.
Ketua Polis Daerah Subang Jaya Wan Azlan Wan Mamat ketika dihubungi berkata, pihaknya akan mengadakan perbincangan bersama agensi terlibat pagi ini bagi gerak kerja di lokasi.
Dalam kejadian Selasa lalu, kebakaran saluran gas Petronas pada 8.10 pagi menyaksikan api menjulang setinggi lebih 30 meter yang menjejaskan sebanyak 195 kediaman. – KOSMO! ONLINE
Far-reaching effects of gas cuts
- Admin UKK
- Berita
PETALING JAYA: Factories affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights are concerned that disruptions on gas supplies could pose significant effects on the industrial resilience of Klang Valley, says the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).
Its president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said the prolonged disruption of gas supplies extends beyond operations as it could have far-reaching consequences on exports, employment and investor confidence.
“The disruption not only threatens operational stability but also poses wider repercussions, potentially undermining the industrial resilience of the Klang Valley, which is home to many major multinationals and large industries,” Soh said when contacted.
He said industries are now actively exploring temporary solutions, including alternative gas supply arrangements such as the use of LNG via tanker trucks.
According to him, the supply is expected to resume in about two weeks.
“The incident is affecting the operations of about 200 industries in the Klang Valley where the supply is only expected to resume on April 20.
“While we understand that repairs and restoration efforts are ongoing and being coordinated, the extended length of the supply disruption is causing significant operational and business continuity challenges for industries in affected areas,” he said.
Soh also said many of the affected manufacturers rely heavily on a steady and secure gas supply for production.
He said the 20-day disruption risks halting production, triggering financial losses and causing widespread disruptions across supply chains.
“Even those with robust business continuity plans are not spared as their suppliers – many of whom lack such contingency measures – are equally affected,” he added.
Soh urged the relevant authorities to facilitate the necessary emergency approvals to support affected businesses.
“FMM looks forward to collaborating with all relevant authorities and parties to ensure a swift resolution to this very critical issue,” he said.
On April 1, a gas pipeline operated by PETRONAS near Putra Heights ruptured, resulting in a massive fireball that injured over 145 people.
The fire caused significant damage to approximately 190 houses and 148 vehicles in the vicinity.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing with the authorities focusing on ensuring the safety of the affected community and restoring the damaged infrastructure.
‘Very dangerous’: Negeri Sembilan targets illegal dumping near gas pipelines after Bukit Sendayan fire
- Admin UKK
- Berita
SEREMBAN, April 6 — The Negeri Sembilan government will tighten enforcement on illegal dumping sites, especially involving gas pipeline areas in the state.
Local Government Development, Housing and Transport Action Committee chairman J Arul Kumar yesterday said this is following the incident of open burning of illegal waste in a high-risk area in Bukit Sendayan that occurred two days ago.
He said stricter enforcement action would be taken if his team detects irresponsible parties conducting illegal open burning activities in the area.
"I urge any party who has information on any activities of illegal dumping and open dumping of waste to immediately lodge reports with the relevant authorities.
"What happened in Sendayan is that irresponsible parties have burned garbage within a distance of about 50 metres and near a gas pipeline, which is very dangerous," he said in a statement.
The Nilai state assemblyman said that to address the issue, cooperation from all parties in reporting any encroachment activities in the pipeline areas around the state is very important, especially to relevant parties such as gas companies or local authorities to enable further action to be taken.
"I have asked SWCorp in Negeri Sembilan to clean up the affected area immediately, and also advised everyone to not litter indiscriminately or stricter action actions will be taken, especially along the gas pipeline route," he said.
Arul said the gas pipeline route has been around for decades and in this state, it mainly involves residential and industrial areas in the administrative regions of Seremban and Port Dickson.
“Each PBT (local authority) is informed that all residential and industrial areas under their supervision should conduct patrols more frequently. That action can detect any location of gas pipelines that have been tampered with more quickly, in addition to preventing any undesirable incidents from occurring," he also said.
Arul added that his team has also requested the gas company to fence up the gas pipeline route area as it is difficult to control due to individuals who like to trespass there. — Bernama
KUCHING (April 6): A shoplot unit’s wall along Jalan Padungan here collapsed early this morning. The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) dispatched firefighters from the Padungan fire station after receiving a call at 6.23am.
“Upon arrival it was found that the wall had cracked and collapsed. “The firefighters evacuated the shoplot unit and its neighbouring unit, then set up barricade tapes at the scene,” it said in a statement.
No injuries or casualties were reported at the scene. The shoplots along Jalan Padungan were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, during the rubber plantation boom.
The area experienced its golden age from the 1950s to the early 1970s, serving as a bustling hub of activity.
Today, the century-old shoplots continue to thrive as a hub of commerce, culture, and gastronomy, attracting people from diverse backgrounds to enjoy local delicacies and immerse themselves in its unique atmosphere.
The area is a harmonious blend of century-old shoplots and sleek, modern high-rise structures.