Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants the standard operating procedures (SOP) of national disaster management to be reviewed to reduce burdens and losses in the future.
The Deputy Prime Minister said it included the need to have a more efficient weather forecast system to ease preparations to face natural disasters.
He said he was informed that the weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Department was based on the previous year's weather condition.
"As we enter the month of December, the weather condition changes and becomes more and more challenging compared to the initial report.
"So, the weather forecast must be accurate for a period of three or four days, so that disaster management plan can be adjusted to the actual period," he told reporters after attending the briefing on the latest flood situation at the National Disaster Command Centre here Saturday.
Apart from that, Muhyiddin said Malaysia should learn more about disaster management system of other countries, especially Japan and South Korea, as they were known to have the best disaster management system in the world.
In a bid to reduce the burden of long-term management cost, he called for more 'special waterways', including canals and drains that could hold water at a larger scale, to be built in flood-prone states.
"So, when floods hit, the impact will not be as big as now. And we also want to avoid suffering major losses," he said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is also National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the government would also look into the need for Malaysia to have the latest land, air and naval assets that could be fully utilised during disasters.
"Based on global weather change, Malaysia is definitely not spared. Assets to be used during difficult times are probably necessary. What we need to prepare are high-powered boats and helicopters," he explained.
Commenting further on the worsening floods that hit eight states in the country so far, Muhyiddin said the government was mulling to deploy four more helicopters to send relief supplies to victims in critical areas.
During the one-hour briefing, Muhyiddin said he had also instructed the National Disaster Command Centre to coordinate all necessary actions that should be taken to overcome floods and ensure the wellbeing of the people in the affected states.
"The centre is operating 24 hours a day and all the relevant quarters can obtain information from this centre in real time. This will surely help them solve the issues and problems in those affected areas even if they were not there," he said.
Muhyiddin said the centre would also be strengthened and managed in a more proactive manner so that disasters could be addressed within the appropriate time frame.
After the briefing, the deputy prime minister also held a video conference with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman to get the latest information on flood situation in the two states.
Besides asking the menteris besar about the supplies of food, basic necessities and clean water, as well as communication issues, Muhyiddin also called for post-flood efforts to be intensified, including by mobilising volunteers from NGOs and corporate bodies.
He said apart from cleaning houses and schools, the aspects of health and trauma suffered by flood victims should also be given equal attention.
Muhyiddin is scheduled to visit the two states this Monday.
The Deputy Prime Minister said it included the need to have a more efficient weather forecast system to ease preparations to face natural disasters.
He said he was informed that the weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Department was based on the previous year's weather condition.
"As we enter the month of December, the weather condition changes and becomes more and more challenging compared to the initial report.
"So, the weather forecast must be accurate for a period of three or four days, so that disaster management plan can be adjusted to the actual period," he told reporters after attending the briefing on the latest flood situation at the National Disaster Command Centre here Saturday.
Apart from that, Muhyiddin said Malaysia should learn more about disaster management system of other countries, especially Japan and South Korea, as they were known to have the best disaster management system in the world.
In a bid to reduce the burden of long-term management cost, he called for more 'special waterways', including canals and drains that could hold water at a larger scale, to be built in flood-prone states.
"So, when floods hit, the impact will not be as big as now. And we also want to avoid suffering major losses," he said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is also National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the government would also look into the need for Malaysia to have the latest land, air and naval assets that could be fully utilised during disasters.
"Based on global weather change, Malaysia is definitely not spared. Assets to be used during difficult times are probably necessary. What we need to prepare are high-powered boats and helicopters," he explained.
Commenting further on the worsening floods that hit eight states in the country so far, Muhyiddin said the government was mulling to deploy four more helicopters to send relief supplies to victims in critical areas.
During the one-hour briefing, Muhyiddin said he had also instructed the National Disaster Command Centre to coordinate all necessary actions that should be taken to overcome floods and ensure the wellbeing of the people in the affected states.
"The centre is operating 24 hours a day and all the relevant quarters can obtain information from this centre in real time. This will surely help them solve the issues and problems in those affected areas even if they were not there," he said.
Muhyiddin said the centre would also be strengthened and managed in a more proactive manner so that disasters could be addressed within the appropriate time frame.
After the briefing, the deputy prime minister also held a video conference with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman to get the latest information on flood situation in the two states.
Besides asking the menteris besar about the supplies of food, basic necessities and clean water, as well as communication issues, Muhyiddin also called for post-flood efforts to be intensified, including by mobilising volunteers from NGOs and corporate bodies.
He said apart from cleaning houses and schools, the aspects of health and trauma suffered by flood victims should also be given equal attention.
Muhyiddin is scheduled to visit the two states this Monday.
