I SUPPORT the approach by the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari not to debate the role and functions of the state National Security Council (NSC) chairman. There are no better answers to his critics than effective action and tangible results.
Now is not the time for pointing fingers as to who is at fault for the poor response to rescue and relief efforts during the floods. The focus for now must be to ensure disaster relief and recovery efforts save lives, livelihoods, properties and businesses.
I commend the menteri besar for including in the Selangor Disaster Management Committee representatives from the Civil Defence Force, the NSC, the Royal Malaysian Police, the Social Welfare Department, the Selangor Health Department, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Meteorological Department, and other agencies.
It is salutary that the menteri besar has also included state opposition leader Datuk Rizam Ismail in the committee.
These are positive decisions. To further improve the disaster relief and disaster recovery framework, I urge the menteri besar to consider the following additional measures.
Inclusive relief and recovery process
Successful recovery includes the ability of individuals and families to rebound from their losses in a manner that sustains their physical, emotional, social and economic well-being. Therefore, care must be taken by all agencies to assure that all actions do not exclude groups of people based on race, gender, religion or disability.
All members of the community must be accorded full and equal opportunity to access the support and resources provided in the relief and recovery efforts. Care must also be taken to identify and remove social and institutional barriers that hinder or preclude individuals and groups subjected to unequal treatment from full and equal enjoyment of the programmes, goods, services, facilities and assistance provided.
I therefore urge the menteri besar to ensure an inclusive recovery and coordination process that engages all elements of the whole community. The state must engage with NGOs, voluntary organisations, all the different faith-based, philanthropic or community organisations, chambers of commerce, business and professional organisations and civil society organisations to better coordinate and collaborate to help individuals and communities respond to and recover from the disaster.
Economic recovery
Economic recovery is an important core requirement for disaster recovery efforts. Both federal and state governments must give priority to sustain and/or rebuild businesses, retain and provide employment and to develop economic opportunities that result in inclusive, economically viable businesses.
I cannot emphasise enough the importance for the menteri besar to engage with the private sector in the disaster recovery efforts. The private sector plays a critical role in establishing public confidence immediately after a disaster.
When the business community is working, the area recovers more quickly by retaining and providing jobs, goods and services and resolving disruptions to the supply chain of industries.
Local businesses must be given the opportunity to participate in the recovery process to identify and coordinate business recovery issues on the status of business operations and supply chains as well as restoration challenges and timelines.
As a first step, I suggest the menteri besar direct all municipal councils in the state to process and grant permits for the rebuilding and renovations of home/shop/office/factory buildings damaged by the flash floods on an urgent basis:
a. For rebuilding/renovations to roofs/floors/walls/doors and other rebuilding work not involving structural changes within 24 hours; and
b. For rebuilding/renovations requiring structural changes within seven working days;
The menteri besar should also instruct all municipal councils to grant an exemption to all businesses affected by the floods on payment of the annual business licence fee for 2022 to ease their financial burden.
To provide effective recovery support to the residents and businesses affected by the flash floods, the state NSC under the leadership of the menteri besar must seek to achieve a shared understanding and common integrated goals to achieve unity of efforts to build back better for a more inclusive and resilient nation. – The Vibes, December 27, 2021
William Leong Jee Keen is Selayang MP
