State’s flood management to be adopted as national disaster SOP
Zahid (third right), together with (from second left) Ahmad Shabery, Adenan, Jabu and Shahidan, raise their hands together in show of unity in the nation’s effort to manage natural disasters. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Putrajaya is set to adopt Sarawak’s flood management known as the Sarawak Template, as part of the national standard operating procedure (SOP) for natural disaster management and relief efforts.
This is because the state has the best disaster management in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, while highlighting its barrage system including community engagement during flood situation as among the most effective.
In recognition of such excellence, the State Natural Disaster Committee had been awarded a Gold Star rating and the award would be presented soon, he announced.
Zahid, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, added that the Sarawak Template has adopted several approaches that are not used by other states such as building of dams and barrage.
Although costly to build, he said a barrage had been proven to be successful in mitigating excessive rain water as well as overflowing of sea water to the river network.
“The federal government is interested to build barrages in Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, particularly Kemaman, using Sarawak’s module. A memorandum will be prepared on this to be submitted to the Cabinet.
“Secondly, the state’s community engagement during natural disasters has been considered top notch and the most effective in the country. This method will be adopted as the national template, it will be the foundation procedures to engage with those at the grassroots level,” Zahid told a press conference after attending a briefing on the state’s flood disaster management at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Chiewf Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang who is also chairman of the state Natural Disaster Relief Committee also attended the briefing.
Zahid mentioned that among the methods to be introduced would be the use of amateur radio operators (AM-Radio) because communication often became a major hurdle during floods.
Other strategies, he added, include using 4WD vehicles to provide aid and transport victims.
In addition, he said the government was preparing a memorandum to provide monetary assistance of up to RM1,000 – obtained from insurance companies based on premium payments made by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) – to each household affected by floods.
On a related matter, he disclosed that the federal government had approved RM1.1 million for building a retaining wall for Rh Jonathan Philip Bunyih in Bintulu to prevent landslide. A sum of over RM650,000 had also been approved for the purchase of 40hp outboard engines for 8-seater boats, he added.
When asked on manpower strength that can be mobilised during natural disasters, Zahid said the state had some 15,000 personnel excluding members of non-governmental organisations and volunteers.
“Our main concern is the second and third wave of flood situation. The nation had gone through the first wave and thank God there were not many casualties. We are preparing for the second and third wave, while continuing to improve on our preparation.”
To a question on the flood warning system, he said the Meteorology Department had forecast that the state would not experience heavy flooding.
Nadma, formed under the Prime Minister’s Department on Oct 1 last year, takes over disaster management from the National Security Council (NSC).