PHNOM PENH(Bernama): Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's visit is expected to play a key role in further strengthening diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Cambodia.  

His visit to Cambodia comes just weeks before the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur that will be held from October 26 to 28.

The International Relations Institute of Cambodia’s Director-General Dr Kin Phea, said the upcoming visit of the Malaysian deputy prime minister carries significant diplomatic importance.

"The visit underscores both nations’ shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations and strengthening Asean unity at a crucial time for regional peace and stability.

"It offers an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, investment, labour, education, and tourism, while constructively addressing pending issues and reinforcing mutual understanding,” Phea told Bernama. 

Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to visit Phnom Penh from Monday to Wednesday (Oct 13-15). 

Some highlights of Ahmad Zahid’s visit, who also serves as Rural and Regional Development Minister, include courtesy calls on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen.

He will also hold a meeting with Cambodian Rural Development Minister Chhay Rithisen.

On Tuesday, Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to attend a dinner with the Malaysian community in Phnom Penh

Cambodia is hosting the 47th Asean Committee on Disaster Management meeting in the capital, where regional representatives will discuss risk assessment related to natural disasters. 

Ahmad Zahid will participate in the 13th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management and the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and Related meetings.

The meetings come at a time when the region is grappling with frequent natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and landslides.

Asean member countries such as Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam have suffered severely from weather-related calamities affecting livelihoods, farmlands, and properties in recent months. - Bernama

PAHANG: The state government has improved logistics and storage capabilities across all districts and sub-districts to ensure smooth aid distribution during the 2025/2026 Northeast Monsoon.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said training and simulations with rescue agencies have also been intensified to test operational efficiency and personnel safety.

Public awareness and community training have been expanded to all zones to improve understanding of disaster risks and appropriate responses.

“At the same time, coordination between agencies has been streamlined under the State Disaster Operations Control Centre to ensure that every action is carried out quickly, systematically and effectively,“ he said.

State preparedness involves 9,596 officers and personnel from 12 major rescue agencies and 989 land assets of various types.

Other assets include 246 boats for flood rescue operations and 243 helicopter landing sites for supply delivery and emergency evacuations.

Pahang also has 167 forward bases and 872 temporary evacuation centres capable of accommodating 166,295 victims at any one time.

“These figures prove that the state government and all relevant agencies are fully prepared to face any eventuality,“ he said. – Bernama

JERANTUT: Malaysia has emerged as a global benchmark in disaster management after a decade of structured training, inter-agency collaboration and strategic leadership.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this achievement resulted from collective efforts, particularly by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

“What’s even more impressive is that Malaysia’s capabilities are now recognised internationally, and even Russia has come to learn from us,“ he said at the National Preparedness Month 2025 launch here today.

Themed “Sentiasa Siaga, Bencana Terjaga”, the campaign reflects the government’s commitment to fostering continuous public awareness and preparedness.

He described the campaign as a platform to unify all national machinery levels under a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

“I believe the government and the people must move in tandem, because true preparedness doesn’t live on paper,“ he stated.

Marking its 10th anniversary, NADMA continues to spearhead national disaster management with structured, focused and effective government responses.

Ahmad Zahid highlighted NADMA’s transformation from reactive to proactive disaster management over the past decade.

He shared details about the planned Permanent Disaster Relief Centre in Jerantut, equipped with family spaces, kitchens and early warning systems.

The centre will ensure fast, organised and efficient aid deployment through modern emergency operations plans.

The government plans to build at least one such centre in each state as a long-term flood risk management strategy.

“Until now, we’ve relied on classrooms and school halls, which lack adequate facilities,“ he explained.

The MADANI Government is committed to building proper centres with complete infrastructure for community use outside flood seasons.

The event featured community activities including Rehlah Perdana MADANI Siaga and disaster response equipment exhibitions. – Bernama

JERANTUT: Kerajaan sedang merangka satu mekanisme khusus bagi mendaftarkan mangsa banjir yang terjejas tetapi memilih untuk tidak berpindah ke pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS).

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, langkah itu penting bagi memastikan bantuan kerajaan dapat disalurkan secara menyeluruh, termasuk kepada mereka yang kekal di rumah masing-masing walaupun kawasan mereka dilanda banjir.

Jelasnya, kerajaan memahami mangsa yang tidak berpindah itu adalah untuk menjaga barang-barang di rumah terutama mengelak daripada kecurian.

“Yang itu kami sedang mencari mekanisme bagaimana untuk kami mendaftarkan mangsa-mangsa berkenaan dan pada waktu sama mereka diikhtiarkan untuk dapat bantuan.

“Namun, kaedah bantuan ini telah kami ubah dengan melantik Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) untuk mengkreditkan bantuan wang ihsan terus ke akaun penerima, iaitu mereka yang menjadi mangsa yang berpindah dan berdaftar, jadi kita beri keutamaan kepada yang berpindah.

“Bagi yang tidak berpindah, kita meneliti benarkah rumah mengalami banjir dan disahkan oleh jawatankuasa peringkat daerah,” katanya dalam sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan Sambutan Bulan Kesiapsiagaan Nasional 2025 dan 10 Tahun. Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) di Padang FA Jerantut di sini hari ini.