THE nation needs to develop an integrated air disaster management system based on the principle of “one system, one command and one action” to strengthen coordination among agencies during aviation emergencies, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said that beyond having strong assets and skilled personnel, priority must also be given to ensuring all agencies operate in the same direction through effective coordination and communication.
“Therefore, we cannot wait until a real crisis occurs to determine whether our instructions are clear, our communication is effective and all agencies are capable of moving in one rhythm.
“A good system is not one that is only complete on paper. A good system is one that can function when pressure reaches its peak, information changes rapidly and decisions must be made within a very short period,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said this when officiating the Air Disaster Management Workshop in conjunction with the 2026 National Air Disaster Preparedness Exercise at Sama-Sama KLIA Hotel on Monday.
He said Malaysia must learn from previous aviation incidents, including the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the MH17 tragedy, the Elmina aircraft crash and several helicopter accidents that claimed lives.
He said these incidents demonstrated that disaster management could not begin only after a tragedy occurred, but required stronger preparedness and planning beforehand.
According to Ahmad Zahid, aviation safety was no longer merely a technical or operational issue, but a strategic national priority as it was closely linked to trade, investment and the tourism industry.
He said the workshop should serve as a platform to test existing systems, identify weaknesses and strengthen coordination and communication among all agencies involved in air disaster management.
Ahmad Zahid also instructed that all findings from the workshop be submitted to his office within two weeks to enable a clear action plan to be developed, including implementation timelines and mechanisms to monitor progress.
He said the move was necessary to ensure that improvements identified through the exercise could be translated into effective measures and strengthen Malaysia’s overall readiness in handling future air disasters. - July 27, 2026
