More boats, heavy vehicles for Sarawak as Nadma enhanced flood response capacity

By Nancy Nais

KUCHING, Sept 16: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will procure additional emergency assets for Sarawak to strengthen the State’s preparedness for floods and other disasters.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the move was among several measures agreed upon during a National Disaster Management Meeting held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.

He noted that Sarawak’s rainfall patterns, particularly between January and March, create a continuous demand for emergency assets and resources throughout the year.

“As agreed during the meeting, assets such as boats and heavy vehicles required by enforcement and emergency agencies will be procured by Nadma and subsequently operated by the respective agencies.

“Among the agencies involved are the Royal Malaysia Police, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defence Force. These agencies will be responsible for supervising and maintaining the assets once they are provided by Nadma.

“This will also place greater responsibility on Nadma to anticipate equipment requirements, rather than relying solely on individual agencies to procure and maintain their own assets,” he told a press conference.

Ahmad Zahid said the approach was aimed at addressing challenges faced by agencies in acquiring and maintaining emergency equipment.

He added that the measure forms part of broader efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure emergency responders have timely access to the equipment needed during floods and other emergencies.

He also stressed that Sarawak’s unique weather and rainfall patterns require a disaster management approach that extends beyond the conventional monsoon season.

“Ensuring the availability of sufficient boats, heavy vehicles and other emergency assets will enable agencies to respond more effectively whenever disasters occur,” he said.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang were present. — DayakDaily

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