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COUNTRY REPORT

MALAYSIA

The 10th ASEAN & Japan High Level Officials

Meeting on Caring Societies:

“National Framework and Practices for Socially

Vulnerable Groups in case Where Natural Disaster

Hits Malaysia”

23-25 October 2012

Tokyo, Japan

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SECTION 1

FOLLOW UP ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 9TH HIGH LEVEL

OFFICIALS MEETING – “HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE

SECTORS OF WELFARE AND HEALTH ~ WITH A FOCUS ON CAPACITY

BUILDING OF SERVICE PROVIDERS AND EMPLOYABILITY PROMOTION OF

VULNERABLE PEOPLE”

1.1 The 9th High Level Officials Meeting adopted the following recommendations

to be implemented both at the regional and national level by the participating

countries:

10 Recommendations:

i. To identify challenges and needs of vulnerable people in each Member

State in strengthening HRD programs for government officials, services

providers, health and social workers, community volunteers to provide

accessible, affordable and quality of health and welfare services. In

addition, these human resources need to be properly allocated and

distributed to alleviate urban and rural disparities;

ii. To facilitate a holistic approach that includes the active participation of

responsible government officials from both national and local levels,

relevant civil society groups, and the target population in policy

formulation, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

These approaches should be consistent with relevant sectoral policies

including health, social welfare and labour and also considered

mutually complementary in order to improve the quality of life of the

vulnerable;

iii. To promote collaboration among health, social welfare and labour

sectors for the vulnerable people, including the

strengthening/establishing of national committees charged with

developing and adopting cohesive cross-sectoral policies and actions;

iv. To promote Public Private People Partnership (PPPP) in providing a

supportive environment for the vulnerable groups to optimize their

potential;

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v. To adopt the “People-Centered Approach” to ensure that individuals,

families and communities are served by and able to participate in

trusted systems which respond to their needs in humane and holistic

ways in all settings across the health, social welfare and labour sectors,

at all times;

vi. To protect human dignity and promote decent and productive work for

older persons, people with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable

groups, equitable access to opportunity and appropriate channeling or

referral to services and treatment should be promoted;

vii. To enhance the functional integration of the vulnerable people into

communities, especially older persons and PWDs, by documenting

best practices and supporting effective approaches in community

based social welfare services;

viii. To recall and reaffirm the commitments made by the AMS in existing

Declarations and frameworks;

ix. To have a cross sectoral policy dialogue and develop common

language at the ASEAN level among sectoral bodies on health, social

welfare, and labour, including ASEAN Conference on Civil Service

Matters;

x. To advocate health, social welfare and labour issues in human

resource development agenda through effective communication, media

campaign and public education.

ADDRESING THE ISSUES AND PROMOTING EMPLOYABILITY AMONG THE

VULNARABLE GROUPS

The Tenth Malaysia Plan (RMKe-10) 2011-2015

1.2 The economic policies pursued since the last four decades, underpinned by the

development philosophy of growth with distribution, provided decades of outstanding

economic performance. This resulted in significant poverty reduction, more balanced

economic participation and wider coverage of essential services such as healthcare

and education nationwide.

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1.3 Despite these successes, there remain vulnerable sections of the population

due to their low income or disadvantaged circumstances. Therefore, an inclusive

development approach that broadens the ability of Malaysians to participate in and

benefit from economic development was established.

1.4 Under The Tenth Malaysia Plan (RMKe-10) 2011-2015, it will encapsulate the

spirit of 1Malaysia to create a fair and socially just society with national unity as its

ultimate objective. A fair and socially just society is where all people, with no

exception, have the rights, freedom, and capacity to access services and resources

to enhance their well being, and where the most disadvantaged are given extra

support to ensure such success.

1.5 In addressing the issues of capacity building and employability of vulnerable

people, the Government through RMKe-10 has set a target to ensure that

inclusiveness will be addressed from multiple angles. From the social perspective

angle, inclusive programmes will be created to ensure that disadvantaged groups

such as the disabled are supported, to be valued participants in society and where

necessary, adequately assisted to raise their quality of life.

1.6 One strategy undertaken in The Tenth Malaysia Plan is through

“Strengthening Social Safety Net to Reduce Vulnerability of Disadvantaged Groups”.

Social protection programmes will be strengthened to ensure immediate issues

impacting the living standards of disadvantaged groups are addressed. The focus

will be on ensuring that the target groups have acceptable accommodation, have

access to medical care and are able to purchase basic living necessities and

services. Among the various programmes created in order to address this issue are

as follows:

i. Providing housing assistance programmes to deserving poor

households in rural and urban areas - through assistance and CSR

programmes;

ii. Providing income support, subsidies and improved access to health

care – through restructuring of subsidies programmes, KAR1SMA

programme – an income support for the vulnerable groups under the

Department of Social Welfare and establishment of 1Malaysia Clinics

under the Ministry of Health.

1.7 To equip the poor and extreme poor with the means to increase their income,

programmes were intensified to build up the capabilities of these groups and create

jobs for them. The Low Income Households NKRA was introduced with aims to

completely eradicate hardcore poverty, reduce the incidence of poverty and enhance

the productivity of low-income households. Efforts undertaken included 1AZAM

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programme to create jobs through a mixture of employment and entrepreneurship

(social enterprise and productive welfare). Four initiatives under 1AZAM programme

were identified as follow:

i. AZAM Tani (to provide economic resources to enable the poor to

venture into agricultural and agro-based activities);

ii. AZAM Niaga (opportunities provided to the poor to start up small

business);

iii. AZAM Khidmat (opportunities provided to the poor to venture into

service sector or self-employed); and

iv. AZAM Kerja (offers employment opportunities to the poor through job

matching or job placement).

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS: PROMOTING COLLABORATION AMONG

HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE AND LABOUR SECTORS FOR THE VULNERABLE

PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE STRENGTHENING / ESTABLISHING OF NATIONAL

COMMITTEES CHARGED WITH DEVELOPING AND ADOPTING COHESIVE

CROSS-SECTORAL POLICIES AND ACTIONS

1.8 The rapid pace of social development and the growing demands of the

vulnerable groups have grown compared to 20 years ago. Acknowledging that the

issues related to vulnerable people are multidimensional, a closer collaboration and

coordination between welfare, health and labour sectors is being strengthened.

1.9 Various mechanisms have been established at the national level charged with

developing and adopting cohesive cross-sectoral policies and actions. Among the

national committees addressing the issues of specific vulnerable groups comprising

the welfare, health and labour agencies are:

Establishment of National Council for PWDs

1.10 National Council for Persons with Disabilities was established in July 2008, as

constituted under Clause 3 of the Disabled Persons Act 2008. The Council is chaired

by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development with regular meeting

of at least at least 3 times a year.

1.11 Under the Council, six (6) committees were established and headed by

various Ministries/Agencies as follows:

i. Committee on Health and Quality Life Care – chaired by Secretary

General, Ministry of Health;

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ii. Committee on Employment – chaired by Secretary General, Ministry of

Human Resource (labour);

iii. Committee on Transportation – chaired by Secretary General, Ministry

of Transport;

iv. Committee on Education – chaired by Secretary General, Ministry of

Education;

v. Committee on Registration of PWDs – chaired by Secretary General,

Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development; and

vi. Committee on Access to Built Environment and Universal Design –

chaired by Secretary General, Ministry of Women, Family and

Community Development.

1.12 The Council was tasked to:

i. oversee, coordinate, monitor, evaluate and review implementations of

the Policy and National Plan of Action for PWDs;

ii. develop programmes and strategies to raise awareness, promote

positive perception and foster respect for the rights and dignity of

PWDs;

iii. promote employment opportunities and career advancement for PWDs;

and

iv. review existing laws, makes recommendations for amendments and

propose new laws to secure full and effective participation in society for

PWDs.

Establishment of Consultative and Advisory Council for Older Persons

1.13 Membership in the Council is composed of representatives from relevant

Ministries, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and experts in fields

related to the elderly. The Council is chaired by Y.B. Minister of Women, Family and

Community Development. The Council will receive a report of the Technical

Committee and is also responsible for the allocation to implement the Plan of Action

for Older Persons.

1.14 Under the Council, seven (7) committees were formed comprising the Ministry

of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Human Resource and others. Among the

issues discussed in the Council including financial security, employment, health, care

and protection, the environment, public transport and safety net for the elderly poor

and needy.

1.15 The Council also suggested a few other things related to retirement, tax

incentives for employers who employ senior citizens, free cataract and dental

treatment for the elderly poor and amendments to the Employees Provident Fund

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Act to enable the full contribution made by those aged 55 years and above and still

work.

REPORTING GOOD PRACTICES ON CAPACITY BUILDING OF SERVICE

PROVIDERS IN HEALTH AND WELFARE SECTORS AND EMPLOYABILITY

PROMOTION OF THE VULNERABLE PEOPLE ~ JOB COACH

Overview

1.16 During the 9th ASEAN and Japan High Level Official Meeting, Malaysia

presented a case study on the collaborative effort between health, labour and

welfare sectors in addressing the issue of employment among the PWDs.

Employment is a big challenge facing the PWDs. Many qualified persons with

disabilities are unable to find suitable employment. This is due to reluctance of

employers to provide them opportunities. Most employers perceive persons with

disabilities are unable to work, unproductive and unemployable. In instances where

persons with disabilities are employed, the turnover rate is high.

Problem Analysis

1.17 It has been reported that about 60% of persons with disabilities that ware

successfully placed by the Ministry of Human Resources in various sectors left their

job within six month of their placement. Besides lack of accessibility in the work

place, majority left the job due to their inability to perform according to their job

description, unable to make adjustment to the work environment and unable to meet

the high expectations of their employers.

Strategy Pursued

1.18 The initial part of the project (2005 to 2008) was focused on capacity building

and raising awareness on supported employment and job coaching. Personnel from

both government as well as private sectors were sent to Japan under the

sponsorship of JICA to be trained as job coaches. Second phase of the project (2009

– 2012) is focusing on the implementation and placement of PWDs in the labour

sector.

1.19 As of August 2012, 22 personnel which consist of 7 officers from the

Department of Social Welfare, 4 from the Social Security Organization, 4 from the

Department of Labour, 6 from various non-governmental organizations and 1 from

the private sector namely GCH Retails were trained. In addition, 90 social welfare

officers were also trained locally. JICA also sent experts from Japan to carry out

training and awareness programmes on Job Coaching in Malaysia.

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Milestones Achieved

1.20 Since the launching of the project, various improvement of policies and

services of supported employment for PWDs has been successfully introduced and

implemented as follows:

i. the introduction of Circular No.3/2010 of Human Resource

Development Fund (HRDF) to subsidise JC training & JC service

provision;

ii. allowances for the Job Coaches. (maximum 60 hours [RM 900.00] in 6

month per person)

iii. appointment of State Officer in charge on Job Coach (at each state

office of the DSW);

iv. Introduced three (3) training modules in Job Coach – 5 days basic

course, 3 days introductory course and 3 days introductory course for

private sector. As of August 2012, 453 persons have been trained and

participate in 15 Job Coach training courses;

v. Publishing four (4) resource book on Job Coach in English and Bahasa

Malaysia (Malay Language) :

a. A New Approach to Promote Employment of PWDs;

b. Job Coach : A Practical Guide on Job Coaching;

c. Introduction to Job Coach : Sustaining Employment of PWDs;

and

d. Job Coach : Satu Pendekatan Baru Dalam Mempromosikan

Pekerjaan Kepada OKU (A New Approach in Promoting

Employment to PWDs).

vi. Improving the network and smart partnerships on supported

employment with the participation NGOs and private sectors – 5 NGOs

(Malaysian Care, United Voice, Cheshire Home Selangor, Beautiful

Gate Foundation and CBR Network) and various private sectors (Mydin,

GCH Retail, Intercontinental Hotel, Holiday Inn Hotel, Crown Palaza

Hotel, Omron, KFC Holdings, Shell and others)

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SECTION 2

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK AND PRACTICES FOR SOCIALLY VULNERABLE

GROUPS IN CASE WHERE NATURAL DISASTER HITS MALAYSIA

Background Information of Malaysia

General Information

2.1 Malaysia is a country located in Southeast Asia. There are two distinct parts

to this country being Peninsular Malaysia to the West and East Malaysia to the east.

The total land area of Malaysia is 329,847 square kilometres. The total population of

Malaysia in the year 2010 was 28.3 million.

2.2 Malaysia is geographically located just outside the “Pacific Rim of Fire” and is

generally free from severe natural disasters such as earthquake, volcanic eruption

and typhoon. Although Malaysia is spared from the threats of severe natural

disasters and calamities, Malaysia is nonetheless not spared from other disasters

such as flood, man-made disaster, landslide and severe haze episodes.

2.3 In the past few years, Malaysia has experienced several extreme weather and

climatic events, ranging from freak thunderstorms to monsoonal floods which have

caused havoc in the country. Monsoonal floods are an annual occurrence which

varies in terms of severity, place and time of occurrences. The 2010 flooding in

Kedah and Perlis was among the worst flood experienced by the country. The total

economic loss on the government was enormous. Other than flooding, the country

also from time to time, experienced some man-made disasters, which caused

considerable damage to properties and loss of live.

Definition of Disaster in the context of Malaysia

2.4 Disaster is defined as an incident that occurs in a sudden manner, complex in

nature, resulting in the loss of lives, damages to property or the environment as well

as affecting the daily activities of the local community. Such incident requires the

handling of resources, equipment, frequency and extensive manpower from various

agencies as well as effective coordination and the possibility of demanding complex

actions over a long period of time.

National Policies

2.5 In Malaysia, the National Security Council (NSC) under the Prime Minister‟s

Department is the principal policy making and coordinating body for disaster

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management. The NSC coordinates and plans all activities related to disaster

preparedness, prevention, response/relief operations and recovery/rehabilitation.

2.6 The National Security Council Directive (NSC) No. 20 (Revised): The Policy

and Mechanism for National Disaster Management is the main guideline for disaster

management in Malaysia. The directive prescribes the mechanism for the

management of disasters including the responsibilities and functions of related

agencies under an integrated emergency management system. This is achieved

through the establishment of The Disaster Management Committee at three different

levels (district, state and central levels) pending the severity of the disaster. At the

Federal level, this committee is chaired by the Minister appointed by the Prime

Minister. The directive is supported by other Standard Operating Procedures which

outline the mechanism as well as roles and responsibility of various agencies for

specific disasters, i.e. flood; open burning, forest fire, haze, industrial disasters etc.

Disaster Management Level

2.7 Disaster management is handled according to the level of incident based on

the definition of disaster as mentioned above as well as the following elements:

i. Level I Disaster

Management and handling of the disaster that occurred in an area and

it can be dealt with effectively by the agencies involved in disaster

management at the District Level, without or with a limited assistance

from outside.

ii. Level II Disaster

Management and handling of the disaster that occurs in more than one

district in the same state that requires a pooling of resources at the

state level with minimum involvement from central level.

iii. Level III Disaster

Management and handling of the disaster that occurs in more than one

state or complex nature requiring coordination and mobilization of

resources at the federal level or from foreign countries.

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Platforms for Disaster Management Level/Executive Committee

2.8 Disaster level depends on the assessment of the Authority at District/ State/

Central level in order to determine the management or to recommend takeover of

disaster management by a higher level.

2.9 The Disaster Management Level/ Executive Committees set up are as

follows:

i. This District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) - For Level I

Disaster;

The DDMC which is chaired by the District Officer shall be activated in

order to ensure that all actions with regard to the search and rescue

operations, taking over and preparation of equipment and machinery,

as well as other emergency assistance, such as food, medication can

be coordinated smoothly and efficiently.

On receiving a disaster report, the Officer In-Charge of Police District

(OCPD) and the Chief of the District Fire Brigade will take the

necessary actions, assisted by the Main Rescue Agencies, Supporting

Rescue Agencies as well as other agencies and Voluntary Bodies

responsible for providing relief and rehabilitation to disaster victims.

The OCPD becomes Commander and Chief of the District Fire and

Rescue Department becomes Deputy Commander of Disaster

Operations.

ii. The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) - For Level II

Disaster;

The SDMC which is chaired by the State Secretary shall be activated in

order to ascertain that all actions in disaster management are

implemented in a smooth and coordinated manner. For the Federal

Territory, the Chairman of SDMC is Secretary General of Federal

Territories and Urban Wellbeing.

The managing and handling of Level II Disaster shall be taken over by

The Authority at State Level as a whole or by mobilizing certain

resources under the control of State Level. Chief Police Officer (CPO)

of the State and Director of State Fire and Rescue Department shall be

the Commander and Deputy Commander of Disaster Operations,

respectively at this level.

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iii. Central Disaster Management Committee (CDMC) - For Level III

Disaster.

The CDMC which is chaired by the Honourable Minister appointed by

the Honourable Prime Minister shall be activated in order to ensure that

all matters pertaining to the policy and decision on search and rescue

efforts and relief operations to victims and others are implemented in a

coordinated, efficient and effective manner.

The Director of Internal Security and Public Order of the Royal

Malaysia Police (RMP) as well as the Deputy Director General of

Operations of the Fire and Rescue Department shall respectively be

the Commander and Deputy Commander of Disaster Operations.

Structure of the National Security Council

List of Departments and Government Agencies:

i. Search and Rescue Team - considered fist line of duty in disaster

management. Members are Fire and Rescue Department, Royal

Malaysia Police, Malaysia Armed Forces, Special Malaysia Disaster

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Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), Emergency Medical Services,

Atomic Energy Licensing Board and Civil Defence Department.

ii. Health and Medical - management of emergency treatment, forensic

services and management of public health. Members are Emergency

Medical Services, Malaysian Armed Forces, National Red Crescent

Society and St. John Ambulance.

iii. Support - logistic report, communication and other assistance for

smooth control of operation. Those involved are district office,

municipal/town councils, TNB, Telekom, Royal Malaysian Police,

Armed Forces and Public Works Department.

iv. Security Control - Provide control at the scene of incident, conduct

investigation and facilitate communication. Members are Royal

Malaysian Police and Malaysia People‟s Volunteer Corps.

v. Media - Press coverage, electronic and media coverage. Members are

Information Department and Broadcasting Department.

Responsible Agencies in Disaster Management

2.10 Agencies that responsible for disaster management are divided into two (2)

categories:-

i. Rescue Agencies; and

ii. Relief and Rehabilitation agencies.

2.11 Rescue Agencies, namely The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and

Rescue Team (SMART), The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), The Fire and Rescue

Department of Malaysia, The Malaysian Armed Forces, Ministry of Health, The Civil

Defence Department and any special team set up by the government agency which

has special expertise to carry out its duties together with the rescue agencies.

2.12 Relief and Rehabilitation agencies, namely The Social Welfare Department,

The Public Works Department, The Department of Information, The Malaysian

Voluntary Corps (RELA), The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), The

Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), The National Energy Limited (TNB), The

Malaysian Telecommunication Limited (Telekom Malaysia), Ministry of Tourism, and

any other agency, private sector or voluntary bodies.

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The Welfare and Health in Disaster Management

2.13 In Malaysia‟s public sector, welfare and health services are provided by two

different ministries. Hence, the information on welfare and health services is reported

separately.

Responsibilities of the Social Welfare Department

2.14 The Social Welfare Department is an agency under the Ministry of Women,

Family and Community Development. Victims of natural disaster is one of the main

target group under the Social Welfare Department as well as other target groups

such as persons with disabilities, older persons, family and children.

2.15 Roles and responsibilities of the Social Welfare Department are subject to the

direction from The National Security Council Directive (NSC) No. 20 (Revised): The

Policy and Mechanism for National Disaster Management. The roles and

responsibilities as below:-

i. To provide and manage relief/evacuation centers and forward-supply

bases.

ii. To prepare and distribute food, clothing and other essential items to the

affected victims.

iii. To register the disaster victims for the purpose of rehabilitation.

iv. To provide guidance, advice / counseling services to the affected

victims.

Responsibilities of the Ministry of Health

2.16 The roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Health are subject to “The

National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20 (Revised): The Policy and

Mechanism for National Disaster Management”. The roles and responsibilities are as

follows:-

The Emergency and Rescue Services

i. To provide special emergency treatment services during rescue

operations by cooperating with other rescue agencies.

ii. To provide emergency treatment services for trapped victims.

iii. To provide ambulance, pre-hospital and transportation services.

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Medical Base Services

i. To provide emergency treatment services for victims and rescuers.

ii. To coordinate emergency and medical treatment provided by various

related agencies.

iii. To coordinate transportation of victims to identified hospitals for further

treatment.

iv. To provide and coordinate psycho-social trauma services rendered to

victims and rescuers.

v. To provide specialist forensic services, including identification, corpse

management and evidence documentation.

vi. To manage corpses in the field mortuary (if any) and hospital.

vii. To assess and coordinate field hospital needs.

Public Health Services

i. To evaluate and determine the impact of the disaster according to the

public health needs.

ii. To recommend and implement public health activities in preventing or

reducing mortality and morbidity, resulting from disaster related

injuries or diseases.

iii. To provide public health services to the local community after a

disaster.

iv. Cooperation and collaboration with other agencies to ensure the

continuation of primary care, public health services, including mental

health, to the affected population.

Responsibilities of the Ministry of Human Resources

2.17 In the event of natural disasters in Malaysia, the Ministry of Human Resources

implements several programmes and activities related to job placement and job

sustainability for the workers which include the socially vulnerable groups.

2.18 In cases where natural disasters prevent workers from attending to work, such as

during major floods or haze, the employers are urged to pay the workers‟ wages for the

whole duration they are unable to work due to the disasters. This is a form of amicable

settlement since workers affected by the disasters were forced to be absent under

unforeseen circumstances.

2.19 Employment Regulation (Termination and Lay Off Benefit) 1980 sets out the

right of workers to payment of termination benefits in the event of termination of

contract of service for any reason, including natural disasters such as floods and

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fires. In this context, workers include PWDs and the elderly who have served the

employer for more than a year.

2.20 Employers who operate on agricultural land (or better known as „estates‟), mines or

place of employment covering an area of 20 hectares or more outside of the City Council,

Municipal or Federal Territory are subject to The Minimum Standards of Housing and

Amenities Act 1990. This act requires employers to provide minimum standards of housing,

child care centre, hospital, medical, health and social facilities for workers and their

dependents. In cases where a natural disaster damages the workers‟ houses and other

facilities in the estates, the employers are liable under this act to rectify the damages and

provide minimum standards of housing as stipulated by this act.

2.21 In the event of natural disasters which cause loss of employment, the ministry serves

to place job seekers including PWDs and the elderly through JobsMalaysia Portal or Job

Placement Programmes. Job placement programmes will be conducted all across Malaysia

to expedite employment process for those who were affected by natural disasters especially

the socially vulnerable groups.

SECTION 3 ACTUAL PRACTICES: MANAGEMENT OF EVACUATION CENTRE

3.1 The Social Welfare Department roles and responsibilities in disaster

management consist of three levels, namely:-

i. Preparedness Stage

ii. Response Stage

iii. Recovery/Restoration Stage

Preparedness Stage

i. The Social Welfare Department has a list of officers on standby at all

District, State and Centre Level and can be contacted at any time in

case of disaster.

ii. The Social Welfare Department is responsible for identifying suitable

evacuation centres. The criteria and guidelines for the selection of

evacuation centres are as follows:

a. The building has enough space and is safe to use in terms of

structure.

b. Location / position are safe from potential disaster area.

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c. Facilities and basic amenities such as water supply, electricity

and etc.

iii. Currently, the Social Welfare Department has identified a total of 5,156

evacuation centres located in each district across the country with a

capacity that can cater for up to 1.4 million people.

iv. The Social Welfare Department also identify the list of suppliers of

goods, rationing and other related needs. Currently, the number of

suppliers is of 1,115 suppliers.

v. The storage of items for evacuation centres, the Social Welfare

Department has five (5) Depot for storage while 477 Stockpiles are

specifically for remote areas. The Depot are located by zones,

namely:-

a. Depot Bedong - North Zone

b. Depot Muar - South Zone

c. Depot Sungai Buloh - Middle Zone

d. Depot Kemumin - East Zone 1

e. Depot Marang - East Zone 2

vi. The Stockpiles means store / place of storage of food supplies and the

needs of disaster victims in high-risk areas particularly those identified

to be inaccessible during disaster. These Stockpiles are well prepared

and stocked by the Department all year round.

vii. Establish and coordinate task force of volunteers registered with the

Social Welfare Department and other voluntary organizations. The

current registered volunteers are 5,923. The Social Welfare

Department also provides courses/training to volunteers on disaster

management.

Response Stage

i. Upon getting instructions to open Disaster Evacuation Centres from

Chairman District Disaster or Disaster Operations Commander, the

Social Welfare Department is responsible for organizing disaster

evacuation centres to perform the following functions:-

a. Registration of disaster victims;

b. Distribution of food, clothing, blankets, mats and other

necessities;

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c. Coordinate and mobilize a task force of volunteers to assist in

registration, cooking, food distribution work etc.;

d. Organize suitable activities for the evacuees in the evacuation

centres such as indoor games, religious activity, motivational

talk, storytelling for children etc.;

e. Provide advice, guidance and „post-trauma‟ counselling services

to victims suffering from trauma, depressions etc.

ii. Roles and duties of the Social Welfare Department while in the disaster

evacuation centre is as follows:

Evacuation Centres will be managed by a committee which is made up

of local leaders, volunteers, community members, government

agencies, private sector and other agencies and headed by local

leaders. To facilitate the implementation of Disaster Evacuation

Centres, several Sub-Committees have been formed under this

Committee, namely: -

a. Subcommittee on Registration of Disaster Victims;

b. Subcommittee on Needs and Food Supply;

c. Subcommittee on Cleanliness;

d. Subcommittee on Safety and Health;

e. Subcommittee on Activities.

Subcommittee on Registration of Disaster Victims

i. There are three different counters at the evacuation centre namely: -

a. Registration Counter for Disaster victims;

b. Registration Counter for Persons with Disabilities and older

persons;

c. Information Counters

Subcommittee on Needs and Food Supply

i. Division of duties is as follows:-

a. Preparation of meals and menu settings of at least 4 meals a

day - breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner;

b. Scheduling cooking tasks;

c. To ensure that the quantity of raw materials is sufficient in

Evacuation Centres;

d. To distribute supplies to disaster victims.

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ii. Work closely with The Subcommittee on Registration of Disaster

Victims to coordinate supplies and food provided.

iii. To ensure a balanced diet and the supply of food in Evacuation

Centres is sufficient.

iv. To ensure hygienic food preparation.

v. Ensure that each of the victims are given the proper attention in terms

of food supply especially to:

(a) Infants and Children;

(b) Pregnant Women and Postnatal Mothers;

(c) Older Persons;

(d) Chronically ill victims.

vi. To monitor the process of food preparation and food quality in

Evacuation Centres through collaboration with the Ministry of Health

Malaysia (MOH).

vii. Coordinate volunteers from The Malaysian Red Crescent Society

(MRCS) and other volunteers in food preparation area such as:

(a) Distributing food to disaster victims

(b) Cleanliness of food preparation area

Subcommittee on Cleanliness

i. Maintain cleanliness in Evacuation Centres.

ii. To ensure visible proper signage and specific prohibitions are

displayed in Evacuation Centres. For example, "No Smoking", female

toilet, male toilet, prayer rooms, etc.

Subcommittee on Safety and Health

i. To create a perimeter of Evacuation Centres.

ii. Schedule Security Patrol in the Evacuation Centres.

iii. Control and secure the movement of the victims and personnel in and

out of the Evacuation Centre.

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iv. Traffic Control and Road Safety Control.

v. Ensure that first-aid kit is always available and sufficient.

Subcommittee on Activities

i. Ensure various programmes are held to provide activities for the

victims whilst in the Evacuation Centre to reduce depression and

effects of trauma.

ii. Among the activities are indoor or outdoor activities, handicraft,

watching video or television, religious activities, motivational activities

etc.

Recovery/Restoration Stage

i. During Recovery / Restoration Stage, the Social Welfare Department is

responsible:

To evaluate the damages involved, including the damage to houses,

crops and livestock.

a. To propose and draw up appropriate rehabilitation

programmes/plans.

b. To provide “short-term” or “long-term” relief/aid from the existing

financial aid schemes.

Short Term Assistance Plan

Food supplies for 3 to 7 days will be provided to family members returning to

their homes. They will also be provided with hygiene and cleaning kit items.

Long Term Assistance Plan

6 types of recovery financial aid:

Type of Assistance

Financial Aid

(a) Schooling i. Stationery - RM50 (USD 15.367) per person

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ii. Uniforms - RM70 (USD 21.93) per person

(b) Clothing RM70 (USD 21.93) per person

(c) Family RM40 (USD 12.54) per person

(d) Essential needs

for home/kitchen

(e)

RM100 (USD 31.33) per family

(f) Repair houses Maximum RM2,500 (USD 782.21)

(g) Recovering

Small Scale

Business

Maximum RM3,000 (USD 939.61) per person

Note: Every Family : Maximum RM5,000 (USD 1,567.67)

In addition, the Government also consider humanitarian assistance to farmers

who had lost source of income.

Disaster Management Financial Aid Expenditure

3.2 According to records of the Social Welfare Department, the highest amount

spent on disaster management was in 2007 where a total of RM11.4 million (USD

3.6 million) was spent. The following years, the expenditure amounted to RM2.4

million (USD 751,000) in 2008, RM6 million (USD1.9 million) in 2009, RM4.7 million

(USD1.5 million) in 2010 and RM5.6 million (USD 1.8 million) in 2011.

Inter Agency Collaboration/Coordination

3.3 The Social Welfare Department has also been working together with Ministry

of Health to provide the following services to victims during natural disaster;

i. Emergency and Medical services includes:

a. Management of emergency cases.

b. Management of Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes

and hypertension among disaster victims.

c. Management of maternal and child health.

ii. Public health services includes:

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a. Health education to raise awareness and knowledge on

preventive measures.

b. Prevention and control of infectious diseases and epidemics.

3.4 Apart from that, collaboration with several other government agencies, private

sector and volunteers are also as important.

Agencies Networking Cooperation

The Royal Malaysia

Police (RMP)

(i) Responsible for the safety of the evacuation centers.

The Civil Defence

Department Malaysia

(i) Help maintain evacuation centers and distributing

food to disaster victims.

(ii) Assist delivery of food ingredients and needs to

evacuation centers.

The Malaysian Voluntary

Corps (RELA)

(i) Work together to prepare and distribute food to

disaster victims and workers who handle disasters.

(ii) Help provide disaster evacuation.

(iii)Responsible for the safety of the evacuation centers.

Ministry of Tourism (i) Register and manage the welfare of foreign tourists

who are victims of disaster.

The Malaysian Red

Crescent Society (MRCS)

(i) Maintenance of evacuation centers, cooking and

serving food, distributing essential items such as

clothing, blankets, carry out the registration of

disaster victims.

Statutory Bodies, Private

Sector, Voluntary Bodies

and Individuals

(i) Assistance in distribution if aid in the form of

essentials/necessities for disaster victims and

disaster workers through The Department Social

Welfare.

(ii) Assist in humanitarian tasks which include

maintenance of evacuation centers, cooking and

serving food, distributing essential items such as

food, blankets, carry out the registration and

rehabilitation to the disaster victims.

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Challenges faced and recommendations to other communities and countries

for replication

Challenges Recommendations

Corporate Social Responsibility

(CRS)

(i) Engaging the private sector in disaster

management should be seen as a strategic

public-private partnership. It should go

beyond just as a social responsibility.

Companies should be ready to be fully

committed in being a part of disaster

management.

(i) Counseling should be a continuous service

given to the victims hence having counseling

as an integral part of the disaster

management especially during and after

disaster is crucial.

(i) The Social Welfare Department accelerates

the process of providing financial aid to

disaster victims.

4. CONCLUSION

The success and effectiveness of disaster management depends on the cooperation,

understanding and capabilities of all the agencies in fulfilling their responsibilities.

More importantly, a sustainable disaster management involves an outreach

approach and inter-agency collaboration as well as support from the private sector,

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the community.

Various efforts are being carried out by the government through relevant agencies

including NGOs to ensure that vulnerable groups are not marginalized or left behind

in the efforts of the country moving towards a caring society.