Govt May Lose Up To Rm17bil With No Disaster Preparation Says Minister

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Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Malaysia has recorded four strong earthquakes, one moderate earthquake and 87 weak earthquakes in the last 32 years. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: The government will likely lose up to an estimated RM17 billion over the next 25 years if it does not act to mitigate disaster risk and prepare for emergencies.
Natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat that establishing the National Geological Disaster Centre (NGDC) will enable efficient and effective disaster management.
He said it would improve preparedness to manage the effects of climate change, reduce the impact of disasters, and improve public safety and well-being.
“The centre will provide specialised and highly competent technical services in disaster assessment and forensics, engineering geology, satellite technology and remote sensing applications, model analysis and networks for early warning systems, highways and related areas,” he said in reply to a question from Islahuddin Abas (PN-Mersing) on the NGDC’s scope.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had said when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review last month that the government is mulling to set up the NGDC by the end of the year to monitor the effectiveness of early warning systems for tsunamis, floods and landslides.
Responding to a supplementary question from Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) on the latest developments in the setting up of the NGDC, Nik Nazmi said the relevant documentation was currently being finalised at the NRECC level and will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
They will then be forwarded to the public service department for further action, he added.
“Along with the NGDC’s work, the National Geological Disaster Management Plan is also being finalised. It outlines the strategic planning and action plan to achieve the NGDC’s objectives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said the country had recorded four strong earthquakes in Sabah, one moderate earthquake in Sarawak, and 87 weak earthquakes (mostly in the peninsula) between 1984 and 2016. - FMT

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