TCAR - Typhoon Committee

2.3 Improved Typhoon-related Disaster Risk
Management in Various Sectors
2.3.1 Disaster Prevention and Preparedness
Achievements/Results
Disaster Management Application System
The Disaster Management Application System
has been introduced to establish a central system
for collecting, storing, processing, analyzing, and
disseminating value-added data and information
to support the relevant agencies in the mitigation
and relief activities of disaster management in the
country. It enables all government agencies to be well
prepared in handling disasters as it provides important
data and information about natural disasters.
Beside, it also emphasizes on the utilization
of remote sensing technologies, Geographical
Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning
System (GPS) technologies to provide up-to-date
and reliable data to support the three components of
disaster management, that are, (i) early warning,
(ii) detection and monitoring, and (iii) mitigation
and relief for pre, during and post disaster
management activities coordinated by the National
Security Council (NSC) and implemented by
relevant authorities.
“999”
999 is the Dedicated Emergency Line of Customer
Assistance Service (CAS) by Telekom Malaysia
Berhad (TM) to improve the efficiency of public safety
agencies in Malaysia. It provides reliable “on-line/
real-time” information database of any or all public
safety/security activities, records and/or incidents.
999 Response Centre receives the call in 10 seconds,
and determines correct Problem Nature and priority.
The call will be transferred to the related agencies for
immediate response.
Guidelines for Development Projects
The Department of Irrigation and Drainage and the
Federal Department of Town and Country Planning
produced several guidelines for development
projects, namely the Urban Stormwater
Management Manual (MSMA) in 2000 and Land
Use Planning Appraisal For Risk Areas (LUPAr)
in 2005. Local authorities in the assesment and
execution of physical developments implement these
guidelines.
Reviewing the Directive No. 20 of the National
Security Council (NSC)
The National Security Council Directive No. 20 (NSC
TCAR
CHAPTER 1 - TYPHOON COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
No. 20) or The Policy and Mechanism for National
Disaster and Relief Management is the main guideline
for disaster management in Malaysia. This directive
prescribes the mechanism on management of
disasters including the responsibilities and functions
of related agencies under an integrated emergency
management system. This is achieved through
the establishment of The Disaster Management
and Relief Committee at three different levels
pending the severity of the disaster. The three
levels mentioned are the federal, state and district.
At the Federal level, the Minister appointed by the
Prime Minister chairs this committee. The directive
is supported by other Standard Operating Procedures
which outline the mechanism as well as roles
and responsibility of various agencies for specific
disasters, such as floods, open burning, forest
fire, haze, industrial disasters etc.
The National Security Directive No. 20 issued by
The National Security Council, Prime Minister
Department encompasses the policy and mechanism
on national relief and disaster assistance. Disaster
management through effective coordination and
integrated approach towards building a culture of
prevention and civil protection is the objective of
the policies and mechanisms in line with the directive.
The Department of Social Welfare has 4 main tasks
as stipulated in the
Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) under the
Directive as follows:
i. Management of evacuation centers;
ii. Assistance in the form of food, clothing and
other necessities
including family disaster kit;
iii. Registration of victim; and
iv. Guidance and counseling
On top of that the Department of Social Welfare
will also continue to assist the families who are
seriously affected by disaster in order to help them
to return to their normal daily life. This is considered
as a long-term intervention or management process
.
2.3.2 Regional Cooperation Achievements/
Results
Regional Cooperation
Malaysia was appointed as the Chairman of the ASEAN
Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) during
the 11th Meeting of the ADCM on 17-29 March 2008
in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The ACDM was
established in early 2003 for coordinating regional
cooperation in disaster management to minimise the
2009
79