PARLIAMENT The people should be more self-sufficient when deal with natural disasters such as floods and not merely rely on rescue agencies, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim said today.

In a written answer to Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (BN-Tanah Merah) in Parliament, Shahidan ( right ) said the people should 'emulate' developed countries like Japan where the onus to save oneself and avoid casualties begins with the individual.

During Malaysia's worst flood crisis in over three decades late last year, over 200,000 people were displaced due to floods which swept across five states.

Government aid has yet to reach some of the affected areas.

"The awareness of the people in managing disasters we can emulate from developed countries such as Japan where the role of saving oneself, and reducing risk of casualties starts from the individual and not by relying on rescue agencies," Shahidan said.

He said the management of disasters was a "collective responsibility."

"The people have to realise that disasters now are not like before and they need to give good cooperation with regards to advice or warnings from the authorities to shift to a safer place," he said.