PETALING JAYA: Local universities must band together and place a serious focus on improving disaster related research in Malaysia, says Institute of Geology Malaysia president Abd Rasid Jaapar.
He proposed that a network of research teams should be established across local universities.
“We already have several disaster related centres and institutes across local universities and all should work together,” he said.
He also cited the example of Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, which utilises researchers from various disciplines to better understand potential disasters and propose relevant measures to the government.
On a related matter, Abd Rasid said the government must be bold to invest in managing disaster risks.
“The direct or indirect cost of disasters can exceed billions of ringgit. We are still too focused on post-disaster response and recovery.
“Disasters are also becoming more complex, with several potentially happening at the same time or after another,” he said.
Monitoring efforts must also be done consistently in locations with a high-risk of disasters.
“There must be a deeper understanding towards the cause of disasters, which can be done through continuous and systematic research.
“Maintenance work on localities with a high-risk of disasters must be done properly as well,” he said, adding that local communities must also be empowered with knowledge on disasters, beginning at the school level.
He said continuous training must be done with communities living in areas with higher-risk of potential disasters.
“All citizens must know about disasters and the risk they can face,” he said.
His comments come in the wake of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar last month, and also the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights earlier this month, which left hundreds of victims displaced and properties destroyed.
The earthquake that struck Myanmar sent shockwaves as far as Penang, causing tremors that rattled high-rise buildings and left many startled.
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