Government Boosts Preparedness To Face Northeast Monsoon - Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government has taken early measures to ensure that all relevant agencies are fully prepared to face the Northeast Monsoon, even though initial forecasts suggest its impact will be milder this year.

He said preparedness efforts must involve comprehensive coordination among all agencies to ensure that lives, property, and important documents can be protected in the event of any disaster.

“Across ASEAN, there are currently about 6,000 major and minor disaster events. As the Northeast Monsoon begins to affect the northern part of the region, with winds expected to move towards Peninsular Malaysia as well as the west coasts of Sarawak and Sabah, preparedness efforts must be carried out through comprehensive coordination,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said this to reporters after officiating the SME Venture @ ASEAN 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here today.

He added that to ensure all relevant agencies are fully prepared, he had personally gone to the ground in Temerloh, Pahang, last Monday to inspect the readiness for the upcoming monsoon season.

In addition, Ahmad Zahid said the government, through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), has implemented an early warning system to ensure that the evacuation of residents can be carried out promptly before water levels rise.

For the long term, he said the government has allocated RM2.2 billion next year to address flood-related issues nationwide, including RM460 million for NADMA to strengthen disaster management efforts.

“What matters is not the amount (allocated), but the effectiveness of its implementation - that is what the government prioritises. Equally important is the cooperation and understanding of the community, as disasters transcend political boundaries. We will face them together, without division,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also urged residents in high-risk or red zone areas to cooperate fully with NADMA, as well as with state and district disaster management committees, in mobilising rescue and relief operations in affected areas.

-- BERNAMA