By Zaki MS
IPOH – The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) needs to coordinate disaster preparedness efforts well in advance to ensure all agencies respond in an integrated and coordinated manner.
This comes as the country prepares to face the challenges of the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon, which carries the risk of flooding in several areas.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the risk of the El Niño phenomenon also calls for preparations to address prolonged hot and dry weather.
He said every state must translate the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030 into action plans based on local risks.
He added that these plans must clearly define agency responsibilities and implementation targets to ensure comprehensive protection for the people.
“Disasters never send invitations. Floods do not wait for us to be ready, and landslides can change lives in the blink of an eye.
“In increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, preparedness must become an integral part of how we plan development, manage the country and protect the people.
“That is why we must ask ourselves today: Are our people sufficiently prepared before disaster strikes?
“Are our systems fast enough to issue warnings? And when disaster occurs, does every agency truly know what needs to be done?” he said.
He was speaking at the launch of National Preparedness Month 2026 in Ipoh.
He also stressed that the government must ensure disaster victims receive safe, comfortable and dignified protection, including through the development of Permanent Disaster Evacuation Centres.
In his speech, Ahmad Zahid also commended the involvement of nearly 30,000 volunteers from 45 organisations across 14 states, who had carried out more than 1,000 relief missions over approximately 10 months.
He said cooperation between government agencies, volunteers and the private sector must be coordinated from the outset to ensure assistance reaches those in need.
