Disaster management machinery ready for monsoon-season GE, Dewan Rakyat told

The disaster management machinery throughout the country has been directed to prepare for any eventuality in the event that the 15th general election (GE15) is held during the northeast monsoon season, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Mastura Mohd Yazid said a Task Force on Preparation for MTL 2022/2023 meeting on Oct 3, chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, had discussed the possibility of GE15 coinciding with the monsoon season.

"This task force will fine-tune the measures that need to be taken," she said in response to a supplementary question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka).

Khoo had asked whether discussions had been held with the Election Commission (EC) on the possibility and suitability of GE15 being held during the monsoon season.

Based on records, Mastura said, elections had been held before during the year-end monsoon period, namely the November 1999 general election and the Sarawak state election on Dec 18, 2021. 

Mastura said the welfare of Malaysia's 33 million people would always be the priority of the prime minister, and that the government would consider the views of all agencies, including the National Disaster Management Agency, Meteorological Department, Civil Defence Force and EC, before making any decisions.

"I believe the prime minister will use his wisdom when deciding to propose this matter (dissolution of Parliament) to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," she said.

She said in preparation to face uncertain weather and the northeast monsoon season, the government was taking a number measures, including from the aspects of pre-disaster, disaster counter-measures and post-disaster coordination.

This includes simulation and engagement programmes throughout the country to strengthen the readiness of the disaster management machinery at all levels, she said.

In terms of victim management, she said the Social Welfare Department was prepared to activate 6,010 relief centres throughout the country with the capacity to house 1,620,855 victims.

She said this in reply to the original question from Noor Amin Ahmad (PH-Kangar) on the government’s readiness to handle the possibility of floods later this year.