PUTRAJAYA, Sept 9 – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said all Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the management of disasters, especially floods will be updated based on the current situation in order to ensure a smooth recovery efforts.
He said reviewing the SOP is important to ensure that post-flood work, including reconstruction of the settlements can be identified and implemented immediately. He said the disaster management involves not only response phase but also the scope of a more comprehensive disaster management.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said it encompasses the prevention and mitigation phases, preparedness and recovery and rehabilitation. He said during the two-hour meeting, the committee decided that early steps to face floods could be implemented quickly, including deepening estuaries and widening rivers. He said the committee also wanted the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) to be more proactively address the issue of flooding.
“The estuary of the river will be deepened been identified. We want DID take proactive measures and swift action. Meanwhile, the follow-up meeting will be held within 60 days from Tuesday id to ensure that the resolution adopted on Tuesday can be implemented,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also want continuous efforts and commitment by members of the committee to improve interagency collaboration and efficiency of disaster management would be implemented in line with the approach of the Blue Ocean Strategy. He said the cabinet also agreed to maintain a national disaster management mechanism by applying the principles of command and control under directive 20 of the National Security Council.
“With this, the Royal Malaysia Police is still the Disaster Operations Commander at the scene, while the Fire and Rescue Department remains as Deputy Commander of disaster operations,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Central Disaster Management and Aid Committee here on Tuesday, after being appointed Deputy Prime Minister on 28 July.
