THE nation is set to adopt key elements of Indonesia’s comprehensive disaster management approach following an official visit by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to Jakarta.
The move comes as part of efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s own disaster response capabilities under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
Indonesia, ranked fifth globally for disaster frequency, has dealt with thousands of natural calamities — including volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, landslides and forest fires. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 472 disasters, with over 5,400 incidents logged in the previous year.
During his visit to the National Disaster Management Agency of Indonesia (BNPB) and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs NADMA, praised Indonesia’s efficient, science-driven and coordinated approach to disaster preparedness and response.
“The strong coordination shown by BNPB, which leverages scientific data, technology, and major investments in prediction and prevention, has clearly reduced the loss of lives and property in natural disasters — a model Malaysia can emulate,” he said.
Zahid highlighted the value of the visit in exposing NADMA to best practices. “This visit has been immensely insightful. We are impressed by BNPB’s preparedness, and there is much that our National Disaster Management Agency can learn to enhance emergency coordination,” he added.
While Malaysia’s elite Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) is recognised globally for its operational excellence, Zahid noted that BNPB has specialised teams for handling various scenarios, including fires, floods, geological events, and maritime accidents.
He also commended the swift response of the AHA Centre during the recent 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on 28 March, which killed 3,726 people and injured over 5,100, with hundreds still missing as of 18 April.
“AHA Centre’s rapid and efficient coordination demonstrated the vital role it plays in ASEAN’s collective disaster response framework,” Zahid said.
He added that Malaysia’s SMART team was swiftly deployed to the quake-affected areas, delivering humanitarian aid and critical supplies in a show of regional solidarity that went beyond rhetoric.
Zahid concludes his three-day working visit to Indonesia today, focusing on strengthening regional collaboration, promoting innovation, and advancing the halal industry.
As part of his itinerary, Zahid — who also serves as Malaysia’s Rural and Regional Development Minister — is expected to meet ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, launch the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 featuring the Proton e.MAS 7, and engage with the head of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency, Professor Ahmad Haikal Hasan.
He will also participate in the Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Roundtable Meeting and is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to reinforce the warm bilateral ties between the two nations.
On 21 April, Zahid met with Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to discuss a wide range of topics including halal industry development, labour issues, fisheries, regional affairs, and the situation in Palestine. He is expected to hold a press conference before departing for Kuala Lumpur later today. - April 22, 2025
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