KUCHING: Putrajaya is set to adopt the state’s flood management plan, known as the Sarawak Template, as part of the national standard operating procedure (SOP) for natural disaster management and relief efforts.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the state boasted one of the most effective disaster management tactics in the country, highlighting its barrage system including community engagement during flood.
He also announced that the state Natural Disaster Committee had been given a Gold Star rating. The award presentation will be carried out soon.
Zahid who is also chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority added that the Sarawak Template had adopted several approaches not used by other states such as the building of dams and barrage. Although building a barrage can be costly, it has proven to be successful in mitigating excessive rain water as well as overflowing of sea water to the river network.
In addition, he said the government was preparing a memorandum to provide monetary assistance – obtained from insurance companies based on premium payments made by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) – to each household affected by floods. Based on the RM500 flood assistance, some amount would be used for the premium so that victims could receive up to RM1,000.
The federal government had also approved allocations amounting to RM1.1 million to build a retaining wall for Rh Jonathan Philip Bunyih in Bintulu to prevent landslide. Zahid also announced the approval of over RM650,000 for the purchasing of an eight-person capacity, 40hp outboard engine boats.
Nadma, formed under the Prime Minister’s Department on Oct 1 last year, takes over the disaster management from the National Security Council (NSC) in managing natural disasters. - Borneo Post
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