Malaysia's evolving approach to disaster management

Disaster management in Malaysia frequently receives less attention than security threats, which are viewed as more spectacular and interesting. While catastrophe management may not appear as appealing as discussing security risks such as terrorism, subversion, religious extremism, or political dangers, the approaches for handling them are fundamentally comparable. They include processes that occur before, during, and after an event. As a result, while disaster management may not receive as much attention, it is just as important as security.

Despite its lower profile, disaster management plays a crucial role in safeguarding Malaysia's national resilience. The country's geographical location exposes it to various natural hazards, including floods, landslides, and haze from forest fires. These events, while less dramatic than security threats, can have far-reaching consequences on the economy, public health, and social stability. Effective disaster management not only saves lives but also protects critical infrastructure and maintains the continuity of essential services, contributing significantly to the nation's overall security and well-being.

The question of what constitutes a disaster is both complicated and subtle.

• Is a disaster characterized by the number of victims it claims, or does the possibility of further harm push an incident to disaster status?
• Every event, regardless of its initial impact, has the potential to escalate into a full-fledged calamity, depending on how it evolves and is handled.
• For example, if an occurrence causes few casualties, should it be considered as an accident or a single event rather than a disaster?
• Or are the likelihood of escalation, larger consequences, and amount of disruption play a more important part in this classification?

This ambiguity frequently leads to dependence on established definitions, such as those defined in the National Security Council Directive No. 20 (MKN 20), which establishes a framework for what constitutes a disaster.

However, strict adherence to such criteria can sometimes obscure the fluid and dynamic nature of real-world events.

In one environment, a small-scale occurrence may be considered a trivial concern, while in another, it may set off a chain of events that result in widespread disorder and severe loss.

As a result, identifying a disaster entails more than just checking off boxes on a checklist; it also requires a thorough understanding of the context, potential dangers, and the broader social, economic, and environmental consequences that may occur.

The complexity of defining disasters in Malaysia is further compounded by the country's diverse geographical and cultural landscape. What might be considered a manageable incident in urban Kuala Lumpur could be catastrophic in a remote village in Sabah or Sarawak. This diversity necessitates a flexible and nuanced approach to disaster classification and management. Moreover, the interconnectedness of modern Malaysian society means that localized events can have ripple effects across the nation, affecting supply chains, transportation networks, and even international relations. As such, disaster management strategies must be adaptable and consider both immediate local impacts and potential nationwide consequences.

In the event of a disaster, the emphasis is typically on the reaction phase. Disaster managers want to avoid being perceived as failing to manage a disaster when it happens. The actual question is where they are in the overall catastrophe management process.

Disaster management in Malaysia is carried out using a whole-of-government strategy, which does not place all of the duty on one agency. Instead, it incorporates a committee made up of agencies with varying skills and competencies.

What distinguishes and commends this process in Malaysia is that the leadership of this committee is not always held by someone in uniform, but by civilians with the ability to bring together diverse government bodies, including responders, technical experts, NGOs, and community leaders.

This mechanism is well established in MKN 20.

The Role of the District Officer

At the district level, the district officer (DO) is in charge of evaluating whether an incident is a mere incident or a disaster.

The DO must make the proper decision to handle the issue efficiently, making the most use of the district's existing capacity while preventing resource waste.

When lives are on the line, money might become a secondary issue.

Unfortunately, DOs frequently struggle to properly comprehend the scope of an incident due to a lack of awareness of the nature of catastrophes, forcing them to rely largely on advice from the on-scene commander.

The role of technology in enhancing disaster management capabilities in Malaysia cannot be overstated. In recent years, the country has made significant strides in incorporating advanced technologies such as satellite imaging, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics into its disaster response framework. These tools provide real-time information and predictive modeling, enabling more accurate and timely decision-making. For instance, flood prediction systems using AI have been deployed in flood-prone areas, allowing for earlier warnings and more effective evacuation procedures. However, the integration of these technologies also presents challenges, including the need for continuous training of personnel and ensuring equitable access to these resources across all regions of the country.

Challenges in Disaster Management

During a disaster, there is usually little anxiety about the rescuers' ability to manage the situation, because they are well-trained and always prepared to meet any disaster.

However, the essential issue in disaster management is typically crisis communication, or how we communicate the steps being taken to manage the disaster.

The question of whether the answer is eventually successful is secondary.

Stakeholders are particularly concerned about how the disaster is being managed, the current situation, and what they must do in response to the ongoing tragedy.

The Importance of Risk and Perception Management

Disaster management should include not only physical and logistical responses, but also risk and perception management.

Risk management entails identifying and mitigating possible hazards before a crisis occurs, whereas perception management focuses on how information is disseminated to the public and stakeholders in order to maintain calm and trust.

Public awareness and perception have a huge impact on how communities respond to disasters, lowering panic and increasing cooperation during a crisis.

As a result, these characteristics are critical for achieving more effective and comprehensive catastrophe management.

In the Malaysian context, the role of community engagement in disaster management has gained increasing recognition. Traditional top-down approaches are being complemented by community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives. These programs aim to empower local communities, particularly in rural and remote areas, to take an active role in disaster preparedness and response. By leveraging local knowledge and resources, these initiatives not only enhance the effectiveness of disaster management efforts but also build community resilience. Examples include the formation of village disaster management committees and the integration of indigenous knowledge into early warning systems. This shift towards a more participatory approach reflects a growing understanding that effective disaster management requires the active involvement of those most directly affected by potential disasters.

Masjid India: A Reflection

To classify an occurrence as a disaster, a comprehensive approach is required, taking into account not just the immediate repercussions, but also the long-term ramifications and the affected community's ability to recover.

Even seemingly trivial accidents, such as a sinkhole in heavily populated urban areas like Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, can cause widespread concern and increased risk awareness.

A sinkhole in a busy place is more than simply a physical inconvenience; it has serious consequences for public safety, economic stability, and the psychological well-being of the community.

The abrupt appearance of a sinkhole can cause instant concerns about the safety of the surrounding area, resulting in a chain reaction of anxiety that extends far beyond the incident's physical limits.

In these situations, disaster management must be extremely adaptable, responding swiftly to the specific issues that such catastrophes provide.

The dense population, along with crucial infrastructure in locations such as Masjid India, implies that any delay or misjudgment in reaction might have serious effects.

The goal should always be to avoid such occurrences from escalating, with the understanding that even a small sinkhole can spark a larger, uncontrollable firestorm of fear and anxiety.

Disaster management initiatives can serve to reassure the public, stabilise the area, and reduce the possibility of further disruption by addressing both immediate dangers and long-term consequences.

The Masjid India incident also highlights the importance of urban resilience in Malaysia's rapidly developing cities. As urban areas expand and infrastructure ages, the risk of incidents like sinkholes increases. This underscores the need for proactive urban planning and regular infrastructure maintenance as integral components of disaster risk reduction. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of incorporating disaster resilience into urban development plans. Cities like Kuala Lumpur are now exploring innovative solutions such as underground mapping technologies and advanced structural monitoring systems to preemptively identify and address potential hazards. These efforts not only enhance public safety but also contribute to the long-term sustainability and livability of Malaysia's urban centers.