Closer ties: Ahmad Zahid (fourth from right) speaking with Brunei Crown Prince Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as other delegates look on during the 12th AMMDM in Brunei.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has emphasised the need for inclusive policies within the Asean disaster management framework to build more resilient communities.
This was relayed at the 12th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM) which began in Brunei yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who led the Malaysian delegation, said Malaysia would also intensify its participation in regional mechanisms such as the Asean Standby Arrangements to ensure that disaster emergency responses were coordinated efficiently.
“This includes the assessment of national assets and capabilities to support faster and more effective regional responses,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, said he also highlighted Malaysia’s active role in supporting the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, as well as its involvement in exercises and simulations such as the Asean Regional Disaster Emergency Simulation Exercise and Asean Joint Disaster Response Plan.
“Malaysia has offered the services of the Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to Asean countries affected by severe disasters,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said that SMART was the only elite rescue team from Asean, and the second in Asia after Japan, recognised by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group under the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
He said Malaysia would continue to stand firm in disaster risk management, and the AMMDM further proved Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing disaster resilience across the region.
Ahmad Zahid also emphasised that the challenges posed by climate change required close regional cooperation.
“In this regard, Malaysia will continue to align its strategies with the outcomes of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction that was recently held in Manila.
“This will help strengthen Asean’s collective resilience in facing new challenges,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said that through cooperation and the sharing of expertise, Asean would be able to build and enhance the region’s capacity to face upcoming challenges.
He said he also shared Malaysia’s stance on being committed to strengthening disaster resilience through both local and regional initiatives, including the Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030 and the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programme, which involved vulnerable groups such as women, the elderly and people with disabilities.These policies and programmes clearly demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment and actions towards disaster risk management, with a focus on risk mitigation, he said.
Ahmad Zahid also highlighted Malaysia’s efforts to adopt the use of technology in disaster management through the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme – which could predict floods up to seven days in advance and issue public warnings within 48 hours.
The AMMDM, themed ‘Building a Resilient Asean Through Inclusive and Sustainable Disaster Recovery’, focused on the importance of collective efforts in facing frequent natural disasters and its impact, among others.
