KUALA LUMPUR: As Asean Chair this year, Malaysia can be more proactive in empowering disaster management in the region, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).

The Deputy Prime Minister said with this year’s Asean theme being “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, there would be wider opportunities for improvement in disaster management within the country.

“As chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP), I am also proud of the whole-of-nation approach that has been practised in all phases of disaster management, including at the regional and international levels,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“Besides Asean member countries, Malaysia is also recognised by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group of the United Nations after our SMART team was deployed in Turkiye’s earthquake, participation in disaster policy negotiations and joint training with foreign agencies.”

He said the unity government would continue to prioritise strengthening policies and accelerate implementation as the country faced climate change risks and increasingly complex disasters.

Ahmad Zahid said the government was currently fully focused on post-flood efforts and humanitarian aid for all victims once the 2024-2035 Northeast Monsoon season ends.

“Every year, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) ensures that all agencies under the JPBP as well as the state and district disaster management committees are always prepared to tackle all forms of disasters.

“All disaster management initiatives and mechanisms implemented by Nadma serve as benchmarks for the effectiveness of policies towards the system’s preparedness and the spirit of nationwide cooperation for the future,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the disaster aid allocation provided by the Federal Government in 2024 reflected the administration’s concern for disaster victims nationwide.

This included Rm232mil for all states for the distribution of RM1,000 as Bantuan Wang Ihsan to households affected by disasters and RM10,000 for the next of kin of those who perished, he added.

Ahmad Zahid said Rm9.28mil was allocated to Nadma for response and rescue operations at the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) and Control Posts on Scene (PKTK) at the state and district levels.

Officers at the PKOB and PKTK were also sent for structured training to increase their operational efficiency, he added.

In addition to rescue operations, he said the government also rolled out prevention and mitigation measures throughout last year, such as cloud seeding.

“The capability to respond has been enhanced through the placement of five Bailey bridges at strategic locations and procurement of 49 mobile water pumps with the cooperation of the Drainage and Irrigation Department in 2024.

“These pumps have been distributed to Perak, Johor and Kelantan to expedite the process of draining out stagnant floodwaters,” he said.