National council proposed for disaster management: DPM

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a National Disaster Management Council is proposed to be established as the highest body responsible for coordinating disaster management and disaster risk reduction.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said he had instructed the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to prepare a Cabinet paper to be circulated to all ministries for feedback.

“Within a month, it will be circulated for review, and I will personally present it (at a Cabinet meeting).

“(In) upgrading the Central Disaster Management Committee to the National Disaster Management Council, we want disaster management to be significantly enhanced.”

Ahmad Zahid said the current national disaster management mechanism through the Central Disaster Management Committee needs to be further strengthened.

“At present, the existing committee does not yet involve the direct participation of menteri besar and chief ministers, even though state governments hold key authority over development, land use and water resource management, critical factors that influence disaster risk and impact.

“There is also a need for the full involvement of federal ministers who have the mandate and capacity to coordinate in an integrated manner across ministries and agencies, allowing decisions to be made more quickly, decisively and effectively.” – Bernama