Japan Keen to Share Expertise to Help M’sia Deal with Natural Disasters

Being Malaysians, we are very blessed to live in a country that is not susceptible to natural disasters. However, we do have our occasional strong winds and floods caused by heavy rains, which also lead to flash floods and landslides among other minor disasters.

These ‘disasters’ have caused some damage to certain areas in Malaysia in the past, and many Malaysians have had their properties damaged or even lost their homes.

Today (June 18), Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had a meeting with Japan ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Makio Miyagawa, where it was discussed that Japan is willing to share its expertise in disaster management with Malaysia, according to The Star.

Source: nst

“In disaster relief, we (Japan) would be very happy to share our technologies and our know-how,” Dr Makio said.

“As you know, we have a lot of experience in handling and managing natural disasters.”

According to New Straits Times, Dr Wan Azizah said that Malaysia and Japan are also keen on expanding collaboration in various other areas including social protection policies, managing an aging population, education and women empowerment. 

“Japan has more experience in this issue and Malaysia can benefit from this. We want to know more about Japan’s social protection policies. This is an issue that Malaysia has to handle in the future.”

“We also discussed the possibility of holding bilateral training and exchange in the field of women leadership,” she said.

Source: the star

She added that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) could benefit from this area as Japan has a lot of experience in dealing with disasters.

“Nadma could learn from the training and sharing of know-how in a number of areas.”

“This includes early warning technologies, to help to predict and prepare for disasters, and advance planning on how to deal with major disasters.”

Source: fmt

“I understand Japan already has a comprehensive response system in the event of a major earthquake. Besides that, (we need) expertise on disaster-risk reduction to help us mitigate disasters from an early stage as well as organise large-scale exercises to develop our disaster response readiness,” she said, reported The Malaysian Insight.

It’s nice to see other nations willing to help our country, and Malaysia willing to learn from them. I believe these are the baby steps we need to take in order to see transformation take place!

Also read: Dr M Says Malaysia Will Be As Successful As Japan If We Have a Sense of Shame