ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CURRENT ACTIVITIESAND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FORDISASTER REDUCTION IN MALAYSIACONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION *2. MECHANISMS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND RELIEF *2.1. The National Security Division *2.2. Disaster Management and Relief Committee *2.3. Composition Of Disaster Management And Relief Committee *2.4. On-Scene Control Post (OSCP) *2.5. Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance And Rescue Team (SMART) *2.6. The Role Of The Malaysian Meteorological Service In Disaster Management *2.7. Roles And Functions Of The Drainage And Irrigation Department Of Malaysia (DID) *2.7.1. Flood *2.7.2. Flood Control Measures *2.7.3. Flood Forecasting And Warning Services (FFW) *2.7.4. Drought *2.8. Role And Functions Of The Social Welfare Department In Disaster Management *2.9. Relief Assistance Schemes *2.10. Landslides *2.11. Landslide Reduction Measures *2.12. Public Education And Awareness On Disaster Reduction *2.13. Forest Fire And Severe Haze *2.14. Actions To Combat Forest Fire And Haze *3. International Cooperation *3.1. Memorandum Of Understanding Between Malaysia and Indonesia *3.2. Agreement Between The Government Of Malaysia And the Government Of The French Republic On
Co-Operation For Disaster Prevention And Management And Public Safety *3.3. DISTRESS 1/97" - Joint SMART And DART Rescue Exercise *3.4. Cooperation Between Malaysia And Brunei On Forest Fire Fighting *3.5. Sub-Regional Fire Fighting Arrangements (SRFAs) *4. FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISASTER REDUCTION *4.1. Risk and Vulnerability Analysis *4.2. Non-Structural Mitigation Measures *4.3. Structural Mitigation Measures *5. CONCLUSION *1. INTRODUCTION
Although Malaysia is geographically outside the ?Pacific Rim of Fire? and isrelatively free from any severe ravages and destruction caused by natural
disasters such as earthquake, typhoons and volcanic eruptions, nevertheless thecountry is subjected to monsoonal floods, landslides and severe haze episodes.
The country also from time to time experiences some man-made disasters whichcauses considerable damages to property and loss of lives. To mention a few,
Malaysia had experienced disasters (natural and man-made) during the last five
years as follows:i. Fire and explosions at Bright Sparklers factory in Sungai Buloh in1991 which claimed 22 lives.
ii. Fire and explosions at South Port Klang in 1992 which claimed 10
lives.
iii. Collapse of Highland Towers Condominium at Hulu Kelang in 1993
which claimed 48 lives.
iv. Landslide at Genting Highlands in 1995 which claimed 20 lives.
v. Mudslide at the Aborigines village at Pos Dipang, Perak on 29
August 1996 which claimed 44 lives and the damage of 30 houses.
vi. Tropical Storm ?Greg? which struck Keningau, Sabah in December
1996 which claimed 238 lives.
vii. Severe haze episodes in July - November 1997 caused by forest
fires which had adverse health effects on the people and on theeconomy of the nation.
viii. Landslide at Sandakan, Sabah on 7 February, 1999 due to heavy
downpour which claimed 17 lives and damaged 4 houses.

Experience from the above mentioned disasters indicated that there is a need toaddress disaster mitigation problems efficiently and effectively to alleviate
the suffering of the people and reduce the loss of lives and damage toproperties.

This paper outlines the disaster management and relief mechanisms andsummarises some of the accomplishments, current activities and future
requirements for Disaster Reduction in Malaysia.

2. MECHANISMS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND RELIEF

2.1. The National Security Division

The National Security Division (NSD) in the Prime Minister?s
Department is responsible for coordination of all activities related
to disaster. The National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20 was
issued to provide guidelines on the management of disasters including
the responsibilities and functions of the various agencies under an
integrated emergency management system.

2.2. Disaster Management and Relief Committee
To carry out the responsibilities of the NSC of coordinating all theactivities related to disaster, i.e. the various aspect of
preparation, prevention, response, recovery and rehabilitation, The
Disaster Management and Relief Committee was established at threedifferent levels, i.e. at the Federal, State and District levels,
whereby the NSD is the Secretariat. The main functions of theDisaster Management and Relief Committee (DMRC) are as follows:i. At Federal level, DMRC is responsible in the formulationof national polices and strategies regarding the alertness
and the preparation of various agencies involved in thehandling of disasters. The DMRCs at the State and Districtlevels are required to implement and carry out suchpolicies and strategies.

ii. To ensure sound coordination among the agencies
involved in the handling of disasters and determine theroles of the principal emergency services (Police, Medical
and Fire Department) and other supporting services.

Controlrequired.
Centreat District, State or FederalOperation
Level wheneveriii. To activate the Disasteriv. To coordinate and mobilise whatever resources andlogistics available from Government agencies and if
necessary also from the private sector.

v. To coordinate assistance and rehabilitation to disastervictims.

vi. To carry out ?post mortem? and report upon completionof the disaster operations for the purpose of recording andperformance evaluation for future reference and planning.

2.3. Composition Of Disaster Management And Relief Committee

The members of the Disaster Management and Relief Committee
are as follows:i.

Federal Level

Chairman:
Information.

MinisterofMembers:
Ministerof
National Unity and Community
Development.
Minister of Finance.
Chief
Secretary
Government.

to

the

Chief of Armed Forces.
Inspector General of Police.
Director General of Health.
Director General of National
Security Division.
Director General of Fire andRescue Department.
Director General of Atomic
and Energy Licensing Board.
Director General of Road andTransport Department.
Director GeneralWorkandDepartment.

of Public
Utilities

Director
GeneralofDepartment of Environment.
Director
Generalof
Meteorological Department.
Director General of Drainage
and Irrigation Department.
Representatives from MinistryofFinanceandAttorney
General Office.
Director
GeneralofDepartment of Occupational
Safety and Health.
Secretary : Director
CrisisandManagement Unit

DisasterNational Security Division
Prime Minister?s Department.

ii.

State Level
Chairman : State Secretary.
Members : State Chief Police
Officer
BrigadeForcesCommander

of

Armed

State Director of Fire andRescue Department
State Director of Health
Other Directors of various
relevant government agencies/ departments at State Level.
Secretary : Director of State
NSD.

iii.

District Level
Chairman : District Officer
Members : Officer in chargeof Police District (OCPD)
District Fire Officer
Medical and Health Officer
Representatives from various
relevant
departments
andagencies at District Level
Secretary:
Assistant
Director for District NSD.

2.4. On-Scene Control Post (OSCP)An On-Scene Control Post (OSCP) will be opened immediately
as soon as disaster has occured. The On-Scene Commander
will be either the OCPD, CPO, or the Director, Internal
Security and Public Order Royal Malaysia Police, dependingon the level of disaster. The main functions of the OnScene Commander are as follows:i. To make an early assessment at the scene ofpotential or actual disaster and immediately
activate OSCP if deemed necessary.
ii. To identify the equipment andrequirement in handling the disaster.

logisticiii. To coordinate the functions of various
agencies involved in search and rescue operation.
iv. To report and advise the Disaster Management
and Relief Committee at their respective level.

2.5. Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance And Rescue Team (SMART)SMART was established in 1995 as directed by the NSC Directive No.
19. SMART is directly responsible to the Director, Crisis andDisaster Management Unit, NSD. SMART comprises of 85 officers andpersonnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, Royal Malaysia Policeand The Armed Forces. The Team is equipped with specialised skills
and equipments to respond to any search and rescue operation in any
major disaster on land which is beyond the capabilities of theexisting principal emergency services Search and Rescue (SAR) teams.
The team members were trained in SAR training institutions abroadsuch as the USA, Sweden, Australia and Singapore. The decision on themobilisation and the deployment of the SMART team is made by the
Director, General of the NSD or the Director, Crisis and Disaster
Management Unit.

2.6. The Role Of The Malaysian Meteorological Service In Disaster Management
The Malaysian Meteorological Service (MMS) is the agency responsible
to provide information and warning occurrences adverse weather
phenomena to the general public through the mass media or to othergovernment agencies directly involved in disaster mitigation. A
CentralForecasting
Officehas
beenestablishedintheMeteorological. Headquarters to monitor closely the weather and sea
conditions over the Malaysian region. Special emphasis was given to
the following:i.

Heavy Rainfall

Prolonged widespread heavy rainfall are often experienced
in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak
during the Northeast Monsoon season from November toJanuary causing floods in low lying area. The MMS monitors
the weather and issues advisories and warnings regarding
impending occurrence of heavy rain spells to the Departmentof Irrigation and Drainage, the National Security Council
as well as the State Operations Rooms.

StrongStorms
Wind and Heavy Rainfall Associated With
Tropicalii.

Although Malaysia is not directly affected by thedestructive forces of typhoons, however the northern partof the country especially Sabah experience the strong windassociated with tail effect of typhoons and tropical storms
in the West Pacific Ocean and South China Sea areas. Onvery rare occasions, the northern part of the country is
directly hit by tropical storms. Tropical storm ?Greg?
which hit Sabah on Christmas eve of 1996 brought heavy rain
and strong wind which claimed 238 lives . Hence, the MMS
monitors the formation of tropical storms in the Malaysian
region very closely to ensure that adequate warning can begiven to potential victims so as to reduce the adverse
impact of these devastating storms.

Strong Wind And High Waves

iii.

The MMS also continuously monitors the sea conditions andissues warnings of strong wind and high waves over
Malaysian territorial waters to vessels and oil rigs
operating in the area.

iv.

Intense Haze Episodes

The MMS works very closely with ASEAN specialised
Meteorological Centre in Singapore to monitor and issue
long range forecast for the ASEAN region, with special
emphasis on the drought condition affecting the region by
the El Nino phenomena. MMS also monitors the occurrences of
local and cross-boundary haze in the country and provides
meteorological information, including satellite pictures
depicting locations of forest fires, to the various
government agencies involve in the prevention, monitoringand remedial measures to combat haze caused
burning, forest fires and other sources of smoke.

v.

by

open

Drought

The 1997/98 El Nino had caused very significant reduction
in rainfall from January to April in Sabah, northern
Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Besides monitoring the
drought conditions, the MMS also conducts cloud seeding as
an attempt to induce rains and to increase the water levels
in dams in the affected area.

2.7. Roles And Functions Of The Drainage And Irrigation Department Of Malaysia (DID)

2.7.1. Flood
Flood is the most severe natural disaster in Malaysia from theperspective of area extent, population affected and economic impact.
The National Water Resources Study (1982) estimated that some 29,000
sq. Km (9% of the total land area) were flood prone and more than 2.7
million people (18%) were affected. The average flood damage wasestimated at RM100 million at 1995 price.

2.7.2. Flood Control Measures
After the disastrous flood of 1971 which affected many areas in
Malaysia, various strategies and measures have been implemented by
the Government to mitigate flood impacts. Such strategies include:i. Establishment of the Permanent Flood Control Commissionin December 1971 to implement flood control measures inorder to reduce flood occurrence and to minimise flood
damages in the events of flood.

ii. Establishment of the Natural Disaster Relief Committee
in 1972 with the task to coordinate flood relief operations
at federal, state and district levels. (The Committee was
replaced by the National Disaster Management and Relief
Committee in 1997).

iii. Implementation
measures.

ofstructural

flood

mitigation

iv. Provision of flood forecasting and warning services toriver basins experiencing frequent floods.

Since 1971, the Drainage and Irrigation Department of Malaysia (DID) has been designatedwith task to implement structural flood mitigation works. Flood mitigation plans havebeen developed for 17 major river basins and 27 towns. Based on these plans, various
structural and non-structural measures have been proposed and partially implemented. Suchmeasures include improving river channel sections, building of flood bunds, levees, ringbunds, by-pass flood ways, use of mining pools for flood attenuation and construction offlood retention dams to regulate flood flows and minimise flood occurrence.

2.7.3. Flood Forecasting And Warning Services (FFW)i.

Telemetry System

DID is directly involved in the collection and analysis ofreal-time river water level and rainfall data for flood
forecasting and warning operation during the flood season.
To date, a total of 72 rainfall and 89 water leveltelemetric stations have been installed by the DID in river
basins for FFW purpose. The telemetry data are transmitted
through VHF Radio, telephone or satellite. Similar systems
are being implemented for another 10 river basins under theSeventh Malaysia Plan (1966 - 2000). Presently real time
flood forecast are issued for 7 river basins by the DID
state offices during the flood season. The forecast riverlevels have greatly enhanced relief operations andevacuation during flood period.

ii.

Manual Flood Level Monitoring

In addition to the telemetric stations, a total of 137
manual flood level monitoring stations have been set up at
strategic locations in the country to monitor the riverlevel on a real-time basis during the flood period.
Whenever a river level exceeds a predetermined criticallevel, the local observer shall transmit continuously realtime water level information to the DID state office via
telephone or VHF radio equipment. These information are
further transmitted to the flood operation rooms at the
district, state or federal level for flood relief
operation.

iii

Flood Warning Sirens

In river basins, which are subject to flash flood, little
lead time is available for effective warning. Therefore, atotal of 60 flood warning sirens, which automaticallytrigger once the flood level reaches a critical point, havebeen installed at strategic locations along such rivers.
These warning sirens are especially useful when flash
floods occur at night.

iv.

Flood Warning Boards

A total of 60 flood warning boards have been installed inflood prone areas in the major river basins. Levels marked
on these warning boards are correlated to the levels at theobservation points upstream. The residents of the villages
are able to assess for themselves the impending flood
situation in their areas based on real-time upstream riverand the forecast levels shown at the warning boards.

2.7.4. Drought
Hydrology and irrigation are two the main functions of DID. During a
drought situation, a task force will be set up by the DID to monitor
and evaluate the drought situation at padi growing areas in the
country.

Based on analysis of rainfall, river levels and discharge data,various measures have been implemented to reduce the impact of water
deficit on padi production.

2.8. Role And Functions Of The Social Welfare Department In Disaster Management
Under the NSC Directive No. 20 on Policy and Mechanism of Disaster
Management and Relief, the Social Welfare Department has four mainfunctions. These functions, which are related to Relief andRehabilitation activities, are as follows:i. The provision and management
centres and forward-supply base.

ofrelief/evacuation- In Malaysia, there are a total of 3,417
designated relief/ evacuation centres, which canaccommodate 943,000 evacuees, and a total of 348
forward-supply bases.
ii. The provision and distribution of relief assistance,
which includes food, clothing and other essential items to
the affected victims.
iii. The registration of disaster victims for purposes ofrehabilitation.
iv. To provision of ?post-trauma? counselling services tothe affected victims.
v. In practice, the Social Welfare Department, being amember of the National Disaster Management and Relief
Committee, will play its role before, during and after theoccurrence of disasters.

vi. The Preparedness Stage- To identify the locations of Relief/Evacuation
Centres and Forward Supply Bases especially inthe flood prone areas.
- To update the list of names of officials, who
need to be contacted and mobilised in the eventof any disaster (their addresses and telephone
numbers).
- To identify the names of Suppliers/Agencies whowill supply relief assistance, namely food stuffs(dry and wet rations) and other necessities.
- To update the Operation Rooms.
- To set up the corp of Volunteers/Task Force,comprising members of the Premier Welfare Brigade
and other voluntary organization.
- To prepare duty lists for the officials andvolunteers.
- To provide training courses for the officials
and volunteers in disaster management work.
- To send dry rations to forward-supply bases,
prior to the event of a disaster.

vi. Response Stage- To register the affected victims/evacuees.
- To manage the relief/evacuation centres andforward-supply bases.
- To distributenecessities.

food

supplies

and

other

- To mobilize the volunteers/task force to help
in registration and food distribution works.
- To organize suitable activities forevacuees in the relief/ evacuation centres.

the- To provide ?post-trauma? counselling services
to victims suffering from stress, depressions,etc.

vii. Recover / Restoration Stage- To evaluate the damage involved, including thedamage o houses, crops and livestock.
To
proposeanddraw
rehabilitation programmes/plan.

upappropriate- To provide ?short-term? and ?long-term?
relief/aid from the existing financial aid
schemes.

2.9. Relief Assistance Schemes
Relief assistance schemes include the following:i. Short-Term Schemes- To provide food and temporary shelter.
- To give compensation to victims, either torepair or rebuild their houses.

ii. Long-Term Schemes- To provide monthly financial assistance.
- To give launching grants.
- To give compensation for the loss of crops andlivestock.

2.10. Landslides
Besides flooding, Malaysia is occasionally subjected to landslides.
Just as flooding, landslides inflict a heavy toll on human life andproperty. Described as an abrupt and short-lived geomorphic erosion
process, landslides can be attributed to the internal properties ofearth materials, the geomorphic setting, and independent external
factors that influence the stability of slopes. In addition,

excessive precipitation and human activities have contributed toslope instability and set the stage for landsliding.

Of late, Malaysia had experienced two major landslides. Farming
activities involving indiscriminate clearing of land, coupled with
continuous downpours, were partly blamed for landslides in Cameron
Highlands over four days from 4th - 7th December 1994 resulting in
the death of 7 people. Another landslide on 30th June 1995, took
place about 39 km from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The site of
the tragic incident was a slip road leading to the Genting Highlands
resorts. Part of the hill came crashing down as flood waters washedtons of earth and fallen trees down the hilly slope. About a dozen or
so vehicles including cars, buses and vans which were on their way to
Genting Highlands, were swept down. 21 people loss their lives, while
22 other were injured. The exact cause of the landslide has not been
fully determined yet.

2.11. Landslide Reduction Measures
In spite of the growing geologic understanding of the landslide
processes and a rapidly improving engineering capability forlandslide control, losses and casualties caused by landslides are on
the increase. This is partly a consequence of residential andcommercial development activities that are carried out on steep
sloping terrain that is prone to landslip. In order to control andreduce the impact of landslides, the Government has undertaken
legislative and non-legislative measures such as:- identification and mapping of landslides prone areas;- adaptation of landuse regulation in landslip-prone areas;- development of design and building codes that will ensure
the construction practices appropriate to the maintenanceor enhancement of slope stability;- amendments to Land Conservation Act 1960 to enable thegovernment to have a comprehensive monitoring ofdevelopment activities on hillslopes; and- amendments to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Rules
1987. This is to enable the government to have a closer
monitoring and enforcement over development projects on
hilly areas for the construction of roads, buildings andrecreational facilities.

2.12. Public Education And Awareness On Disaster Reduction
In order to enhance disaster preparedness, the Malaysian Government
has continuously carried out public education on disaster prevention
to the people living in flood prone areas with the ultimate objectiveof protecting of human lives and property, as well as avoiding or
minimising social disruption and economic losses. Public education
and awareness programmes are carried out through the various media
including TV and radio broadcast, aimed at enhancing public awarenessof the dangers of natural disasters. Civic education and practicaltraining in life saving techniques are also conducted in the natural
disaster prone areas. In addition, presentations on life-saving
during floods have been made and pamphlets on disaster prevention
targeted at children in flood prone areas during the monsoon season
were also circulated.

Agencies such the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and Civil Defence
Department have also played their part in educating the public
especially children on how to protect themselves against floods.
Therefore, public education and awareness on disaster reduction in
Malaysia is aimed at creating a higher level of community awarenessincluding the ability of putting into place appropriate emergency
measures, so that they could withstand the impact of natural
disasters and prepare for and survive disasters.

2.13. Forest Fire And Severe Haze
The northern region of Sarawak and the western part of Sabah in
Malaysia have been experiencing severe drought since late December
1997 that has been brought about by the El Nino phenomenon. The
drought has brought about incidences of bush fires, mainly within thevicinity of Miri, Lawas, Limbang and Marudi in Sarawak and Sipitang
in Sabah. In Miri, bush fire occurred in the dry peat areas during
the first week of February 1998. The fires spread over a total areaof more than 3,000 hectares. In Lawas, bush fire occurred in peatareas covering a total area of 1,000 hectares. A few incidences ofbush fires covering approximately 70 hectares were also detectedduring March - April period in the State of Pahang in Peninsular
Malaysia. The smoke from these peat and forest fires had resulted insevere haze episodes, especially in northern Sarawak, western Sabah,Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and to some event, southern
Thailand.

2.14. Actions To Combat Forest Fire And Haze

To combat the forest fire and haze problem, the Malaysia
Government implemented the following measures:- Activate the National Haze Action Plan.
- Activate an operation centre to coordinate theactivities to combat haze and forest fires.
- Mobilize fire-fighting personnel from the Fire
Services and Rescue Department to fight fires onground, equipped with specialized fire-fighting
equipment.
- Mobilize the Army, Police and Local Authorities
personnel to assist the Fire Services and Rescue
Department in the fire fighting.
- Undertake aerial water bombing of area offorest fire.
- Institute legal action against offenders ofopen burning in plantations.
- Carry out air surveillance to detect bushfires.

3. International Cooperation

3.1. Memorandum Of Understanding Between Malaysia and Indonesia

Malaysia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU) on Disaster Cooperation and Assistance on 11 December
1997 allowing the two countries to work together to manageand handle any forms of disaster that may occur. The MoU on
Disaster Cooperation and Assistance was signed by H.E.
Datuk Seri Mohamed bin Rahmat, who is the National Disaster
Management and Relief Committee Chairman as well as the
Minister of Information, on behalf of the Malaysian
Government and H.E. Dato? Seri Utama Ir. Azwar Anas,
Coordinating Minister for People?s Welfare and also
Chairman of the Indonesia National Disaster Management
Coordinating Board (BAKORNAS-PB) on behalf of theIndonesian Government.

The initial objective of the MoU was for Malaysia andIndonesia to jointly tackle the haze problem, but the twocountries had decided to include other areas of disastermanagement and assistance.

Under the MoU, both countries had agreed to the followings:

i. Exchange of expertise and information on thelatest technology related to disaster prevention,risk reduction, response, mitigation, recovery
and rehabilitation including teledetection. This
also includes technology on detection bysatellites, data interpretation and rescue
operations in collapsed buildings or structures.
ii. Training of officers and personnel indisaster management, the concept of aeromobility
emergency services (including the use ofheliborne technique) and search and rescue
techniques both on land and sea.
iii. Sharing of experience throughconferencesandpublications
onmanagement.

seminars,
disasteriv. Collaboration on public health studies
related to the effects of particular disasters.

3.2. Agreement Between The Government Of Malaysia And the Government Of The French
Republic On Co-Operation For Disaster Prevention And Management And Public Safety

The agreement was signed on May 25, 1998 in Paris, France by H.E.
Datuk Seri Mohamed bin Rahmat, Chairman of National Disaster
Management and Relief Committee on behalf of Malaysia and H.E. Mr.
Jean-Pierre Chevenement, Minister of Interior, France on behalf of
the French Government.

For Malaysia, this is the first time that such an agreement between
the Government of Malaysia and the French Government is ever held on
disaster management and cooperation. The agreement would be the basis
for bilateral cooperation which could paved the way for closer andwider scope in disaster management including prevention, mitigation,
assistance, expertise, training and exercises. In extending thecooperation, the French Government has assisted Malaysia in training
five (5) Malaysian officers in late 1998 in France. The trainingcovered management of forest fire as well as technique of forest firefighting.

The parties agree to develop co-operation in the fields offorecasting, prevention, assessment and management of natural, manmade and technological disaster situations by:exchanging experts and specialists in the field of application ofadvanced technologies relating to natural, man-made and technologicaldisasters or major incidents, including the use of satellite remotesensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Satellite Based
Positioning (SBP) Technology, spatial data analysis and modelling,
and risk assessment;

initiating training activities for personnel involved in emergency
response and disaster or major incidents, management, calculation ofrisk index and satellite data processing and interpretation anddevelopment of disasters early warning system through satellite
remote sensing technology. This includes the deployment oftransportable satellite data reception facility to enable effective
monitoring of disasters such as forest fires, oil spills and waste
discharge;

sharing their public health experiences, especially with regard tochemical, industrial and environmental hazards;

exchanging information on each country?s laws
pertaining to environment pollution and hazards;

andregulations

exchanging technology and scientific information relating to natural,
man-made and technological disasters or major incidents throughelectronic media, forum and publications; andparticipation of specialists of one party in the relevant national
technical training programmes of the other party.

3.3. DISTRESS 1/97" - Joint SMART And DART Rescue Exercise

The first joint rescue exercise involving two elite rescue teams, theSpecial Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) andDisaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) of Singapore Civil Defence
Force (SCDF), was held in Genting Highlands, Malaysia on 25 - 26
November 1997. The joint exercise codename ?DISTRESS 1/97" was basedon the scenario of a collapse of an apartment at the hillslope of
Genting Highlands due to a landslide, resulting in about 40 occupants
being trapped. SMART and DART were given the task of handlingcomplicated rescue problems in this major simulated disaster. The
district disaster management elements and the local rescue andemergency relief agencies such as Royal Malaysia Police, Fire andRescue Department, The Malaysian Armed Forces, Medical Emergency
Response Team, Civil Defence Department and The Malaysian Red
Crescent Society were involved at a minimal level. 35 DART and 26
SMART rescuers were involved in the joint exercise.

The joint exercise was to promote better teamwork, proficiency andexchange of experience among SMART and DART members. The exercise
also helped to verify and evaluate the preparedness of SMART and DART
in conducting specialized search and rescue operations and promote a
better understanding of each other?s operational concepts. The joint
exercise was officially opened on 25 November 1997 by H.E. Datuk Seri
Mohamed bin Rahmat, Malaysia Minister of Information and also the
Chairman of the Malaysia National Disaster Management and Relief
Committee.

In order to further strengthen the existing close cooperation andgoodwill between the two elite rescue teams of Malaysia andSingapore, both countries agreed in principle to have a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) on Disaster Management and Assistance. Perhaps
the joint exercise and the proposed MoU could be used as a basis topave the way for similar cooperations in disaster management among
ASEAN members countries in the future.

3.4. Cooperation Between Malaysia And Brunei On Forest Fire Fighting

Malaysia and Brunei have agreed on 1 April 1998 to cooperate and help
each other in fighting the forest fires at the Sarawak - Brunei
border. Both countries have pledged to cooperate and exchange
experience in fire fighting technique at the border areas.

In principle, both countries have agreed to cooperate in conducting
cloud seeding and water bombing operations on areas affected bydrought, haze and forest fires, particularly at the border areas ofboth countries. In addition, exchange of information of weather andair quality indices will be intensified. Malaysia also allows Brunei
fire fighters to use water from the Limbang River in Sarawak forforest fire fighting operation. Thus this cooperation between the twocountries is a positive step towards addressing effectively future
haze problems prevailing in the border areas of Sarawak and Brunei.

3.5. Sub-Regional Fire Fighting Arrangements (SRFAs)

During the Third ASEAN Environment Ministerial Meeting on Haze heldon 4 April 1998 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, it wasagreed that Sub-Regional Fire Fighting Arrangements (SRFAs) are to beestablished for Kalimantan and Sumatera/Riau provinces. The SRFAs
would ensure at all cost that fires are prevented from becoming an
economic and environmental threat in Sumatera and Riau provinces, andthat fires in East Kalimantan must be contained and not allowed tospread to Central and West Kalimantan. The SRFAs will incorporatemechanisms to rapidly activate and mobilise efforts to put out fires
before they get out of control, and to manage additional andcomplementary resources from within and outside the region. In thisregard, Malaysia was given the task of fire-fighting coordination.
Malaysia is to work out procedures to activate, mobilise and channel
fire-fighting resources to target sites.

4. FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISASTER REDUCTION

4.1. Risk and Vulnerability Analysis

Such analysis should be mandatory in the appraisal of all development
projects. Pilot risk mapping projects and hazard and vulnerability
analysis should be conducted at the micro-level using whereappropriate, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing(RS) technology.
4.2. Non-Structural Mitigation Measuresi.

Disaster Management System

The need to strengthen national disaster management organisational
structures and support them with sound administrative, financial
arrangements and assets mobilisation.

Training

ii.

To increase in training activities in the country throughinternational support and cooperation by multilateral and bilateralorganisation, NGO?s and others. Also to undertake training programmes
for core disasters management personnel as well as supporting
personnel in order to enhance disaster coordination and response.

Public Awarenessiii.

The need for more sustained public awareness programs directed at
local communities in disaster prone areas through international
cooperation and assistance.

iv.

Forecasting And Warning Systems

The need to improve in the methods and technology of warning system
for flood, landslides and forest fire.

v.

Hazard Mapping

The need to improve hazard mapping at macro and micro level.

4.3. Structural Mitigation Measures

The need to implement structural mitigation measures in bothengineered and non-engineered structures, such as landslide control
measures, river embankments and etc. International cooperation in thetransfer of knowledge and expertise in the structural measures could
greatly improve disaster reduction system in the country.

International assistance in improving disaster reduction system by integrating
disaster reduction measures in disaster prone areas could reduce, the loss,
damage and economic disruption caused by natural disasters in the country.

5. CONCLUSION

Policy makers as well as disaster and development experts recognise that eachnation?s ability to achieve sustainable economic development can be increased
by reducing the impact of disasters. Therefore, Malaysia is integrating
disaster reduction in its international cooperation through enhancing regional
cooperation in all aspects of disaster management, including, prevention,
mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, through more effective mutual
assistance activities, in order to minimise the adverse consequences ofdisasters on the economic and social development internally.

Much has been accomplished within Malaysia in terms of disaster reduction since
the onset of the International Decade For The Natural Disaster Reduction(IDNDR). In the spirit of IDNDR, which seeks to support sustainable economic
development, natural hazard risk assessment, mitigation and warnings must be
embedded in Malaysia?s development plans and process.

Except for flooding and occasional occurrences of landslides, Malaysia isrelatively not affected by other major natural disasters. However, ourinvolvement in IDNDR is significant through our participation in a concerted
international action aimed at reducing the impact of natural disasters in the
Asian region. As a member of the UN, Malaysia fully supports and participatesin the UN?s efforts in the reduction of natural disaster by observing the UN
sponsored International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on October 13th,
aimed at enhancing public awareness on the effect of natural disasters andundertaking various activities towards reducing natural disasters. In thisrespect, Malaysia is advancing its mission in national disaster management
through effective coordination and integrated approach in the building of a
Culture of Prevention and Civil Protection/Public Safety in the community.
Thus, Malaysia hopes to create a safe environment for the community throughDisaster Management, sustainable development and risk reduction in the 21st
century.

Prepared by :Crisis And Disaster Management Unit
Division For National Security
Prime Minister?s Department
Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
February 1999

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