The agencies involved in emergencies arising from natural disasters are equipped with sufficient skills and knowledge, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

"We follow the mechanisms and strategies stated in the National Security Council's order," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

All parties involved in crisis and disaster management are given proper training and simulation to upgrade their skills in the aspects of prevention, preparation, reaction and rehabilitation, he explained.

Nazri (BN-Padang Renggas) was replying to Lim Be Kau (BN-Padang Serai) who asked Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to state the measures taken by the government to ensure that those involved in emergencies have the skills and knowledge in crisis management.

Nazri said the government has also prepared a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) and all those involved have to follow the SOP when facing natural disasters like floods.

"Each government agency involved in crisis and disaster management also has its own SOP and everyone follows the procedure so that the management during times of emergency are done in an orderly manner," he added.

Does not happen often

Nazri also told Lim there was no need to undergo training with countries more experienced in crisis and disaster management like Japan.

"There are many types of natural disasters and for Japan it may be tsunami and thus, their skills are to manage tsunamis and not floods, so there is no need for us to seek training from them," he said.

In Malaysia, he said, floods are a norm in Kelantan and Terengganu and the floods do not cause panic to the people there as they are used to it.

"And the last big flood in Johor was 30 years ago and floods like this do not happen often. So there is no use if we seek training from other countries as we will forget the skills before the next flood," he said.

The minister said non governmental organisations (NGOs) that want to help during times of natural disasters have to register with the action committee under the district officer.

"By registering with the committee, they will know how things should be done. If they assist without being informed on the proper procedures, it will only create more havoc," he added