Nadma's role only to manage, not prevent floods - minister
PARLIAMENT | The role of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is only to manage floods when they occur and not to prevent such disasters.
In defending the agency’s role, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof said as such, the agency only functions during disasters.
PARLIAMENT | The role of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is only to manage floods when they occur and not to prevent such disasters.
In defending the agency’s role, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof said as such, the agency only functions during disasters.
However, he told the Dewan Rakyat today that Nadma could still forward suggestions to higher authorities including the National Security Council (NSC) “based on its experience”.
“Nadma’s role is only to manage disasters. So it only functions during the event of a disaster, and if there are bigger disasters, it will refer to the NSC.
“We (Nadma) are not involved (in prevention). We can suggest based on our experience in facing floods,” he said.
Redzuan added that in fact, the agency is discussing better water management solutions, including the idea of adopting technologies from other countries, including South America, which can help prevent expected flood recurrence.
This came following criticism by Mahfuz Omar (Harapan-Pokok Sena) that Nadma should be focussing on managing prevention solutions of disasters such as recurring flooding.
“After managing disasters for so long, (Nadma) should have identified the causes...should be coordinating with other ministries to ensure (flood) prevention management.
“There is no need to spend money on things like new tents when there are steps to be taken by Nadma, as the agency to manage disasters, to prevent floods,” Mahfuz said.
Earlier, Redzuan, who is Alor Gajah MP, said the government is purchasing 20,000 “syariah-complaint” closed tents to be used by flood victims being housed at temporary shelters.
He said this when answering Ahmad Fahdli Shaari (PAS-Pasir Mas) on steps Nadma has taken to prepare guidelines on syariah-compliant management and housing of flood victims.
To this, the minister assured all SOP were syariah compliant as well as “inclusive” of all religious considerations.
The SOPs also took into account physical distancing measures in light of the current coronavirus pandemic.
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