KUCHING – The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) is strengthening Malaysia’s disaster preparedness by improving the planning and deployment of critical assets while expanding the use of early warning systems at district and local levels.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the approach was intended to ensure essential equipment could be made available quickly during emergencies and that evacuation and rescue operations could begin as early as possible.
He said NADMA was considering the acquisition of assets such as boats and heavy vehicles, which could subsequently be used and maintained by relevant enforcement and emergency agencies.
“Regarding assets, boats and heavy vehicles for use by patrol agencies such as police, fire or police guards, the consensus at the meeting was that these assets should be purchased by NADMA and used by the agency and maintained by the agency as they face difficulties in purchasing and maintaining the assets,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid was speaking to reporters after chairing the High Level Committee (HLC) Meeting of the National Disaster Management Series 1 2026 at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Tuesday.
The proposed arrangement is aimed at addressing difficulties faced by agencies in obtaining and maintaining specialised equipment. Under the approach discussed at the meeting, NADMA would procure selected assets, while agencies with operational responsibilities would use and maintain them.
The deputy prime minister also stressed the importance of making better use of existing early warning systems at district and locality levels.
He said warnings should provide sufficient lead time for authorities and communities to begin evacuation before conditions develop into a more serious disaster.
“Therefore, we will at the coordination level, at the district and locality level, the existing early warning system be used before the flood disaster, before the amount of rain exceeds the level so far so that the evacuation has been carried out early,” he said.
The approach is particularly relevant to flood preparedness, where information on rainfall and water levels can help authorities determine when preventive action is required.
Ahmad Zahid said early evacuation could help protect lives while also giving affected residents time to secure important documents and personal belongings before floodwaters or other hazards reached their homes.
He said effective disaster management could not depend on a single agency and required coordination among the Federal Government, state governments, ministries, government departments, enforcement bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Such coordination includes ensuring that agencies have access to appropriate equipment and expertise and that responsibilities are clearly established before an emergency occurs.
NGOs, he added, could also contribute to disaster response, particularly in the area of communications. Their involvement could include providing alternative communication systems if electricity supplies fail or conventional communication networks are disrupted.
Reliable communication is an important part of emergency response because authorities need to exchange information, coordinate rescue operations and provide updates to communities during rapidly developing situations.
The measures discussed at the meeting place emphasis on preparedness before a disaster rather than relying solely on response efforts after an incident has occurred.
The combination of strategically positioned assets, earlier warnings and coordination among agencies is intended to improve the ability of authorities to respond to emergencies and organise evacuations.
For communities exposed to floods and other hazards, early information can also allow households to make practical preparations before conditions deteriorate. Authorities can use warning information to determine when additional resources and emergency personnel may need to be deployed.
The discussions form part of ongoing efforts by NADMA and its partner agencies to strengthen the country’s disaster management arrangements.
The meeting also brought together federal and Sarawak authorities to discuss preparedness and coordination in the state, where disaster management requires cooperation across different agencies and levels of government.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier and chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang.
