The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers has urged the federal government and all state governments to call for an emergency meeting to review, address and implement corrective as well as preventive measures to improve flood and disaster mitigation programmes.

In a statement today, FMM also called for the implementation of standard operating procedures.

“The flood which caused severe damage and untold hardship to people and businesses in the northern states, particularly in Penang, is a wake-up call to the federal and state authorities nationwide to give greater emphasis and increase allocations towards improving flood and disaster mitigation in the country.

“While FMM commends the federal and state governments working together to help the people in Penang, we also note with concern media reports which stated that the Penang State government does not have adequate manpower and equipment to handle the floods.

“Identifying these constraints are the first steps towards improving the nation’s current flood and disaster mitigation system, including improvements to the Meteorological Department for more effective monitoring and early warning systems,” it said.

The federation said, given that the Meteorological Department had issued weather alerts since Nov 1, it would appear that follow-up actions had not been adequate.

“The alerts should have triggered the necessary follow-up actions, especially in setting up relief centres and early evacuation of high risk areas.

“Hence, we are most concerned about effective coordination and mobilisation of resources,” FMM said.

It added that higher investment in flood and disaster mitigation programmes should be carried out concurrently with the increase in land development, especially in ensuring an efficient drainage system and diligent maintenance.

- Bernama